Box Score OXFORD, Ohio – The Miami University field hockey team (14-6) shutout Ohio (5-12) by a 5-0 margin on Friday in the semifinals of the MAC Tournament.
Miami and Ohio battled to control possession the first nine minutes of play before the first shot was recorded.
Paula Portugal's shot was saved by Alex Pennington to keep the game scoreless. The RedHawks gained some momentum by earning a trio of penalty corners but no balls made it into the cage and the game remained scoreless.
The game was 0-0 after 35 minutes of play, although Miami led in shots (9-1), shots on goal (6-0) and penalty corners (6-1).
Kenzie Peterson put the RedHawks on the board during the 42
nd minute of play.
Leonor Berlie set up Peterson will a pass to the middle of the circle to put away her fourth goal of the season.
In the 51
st minute,
Kirsten McNeil gave Miami a 2-0 lead. The RedHawks earned a penalty corner. McNeil inserted the ball to
Kendall Hunker, who stopped the ball for
Mariona Heras. McNeil deflected the shot from Heras into the back of the cage for her third goal of the season.
Less than two minutes later,
Estel Roig scored her third goal of the season and the game was 3-0 in favor of the RedHawks. Roig took the ball into the circle and around Pennington before putting the ball off of an Ohio defender and into the back of the cage.
With less than five minutes remaining in the game,
Paula Portugal netted her 23
rd goal of the season on a penalty stroke, her third goal on a penalty stroke this season.
In the 66
th minute of play,
Taylor Curran put away her third goal of the season to cap scoring at 5-0 in Miami's favor.
Gabby Luxardo found Curran wide open with a pass to the back door.
Miami led the game in shots (27-1), shots on goal (14-0) and penalty corners (12-1). Portugal led both teams with seven shots. Berlie had five.
The RedHawks will face the winner of the Kent State vs. Appalachian State game in the MAC Tournament Championship game on Saturday at 4 p.m.
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