OXFORD, Ohio – Miami soccer's exhibition schedule ended with a 3-1 setback against regional foe Northern Kentucky on Sunday. That result has the RedHawks finishing exhibition play with a split as it moves forward to its regular season preparations.
The Norse hemmed the RedHawks in their half of the pitch for large portions of the first half, holding a 5-1 shot advantage along with a 3-1 edge in corner kicks. NKU had a chance to get on the board about 15 minutes in when a 50-50 ball about 35 yards out left MU's net vacated, but a shot attempt from the left wing was stopped by a defender to keep it scoreless.
Northern Kentucky did capitalize in the 23rd minute when Megan Patrick crossed a ball from the left corner to a waiting Emily Soltes at the right post, where she headed it in to make it a 1-0 contest. Miami's first shot came with under 10 seconds remaining in the half as
Tyler Klika got a head of steam and pulled up from the top of the 18, but the attempt drifted wide as the Red & White remained down a goal at the half.
Following the break, Miami came out with guns blazing, taking the first four shots of the second half.
Soph Spinell got set up on a through ball to the right side, but her shot went off target. Nevertheless, it led to a corner kick that saw the RedHawks get a couple shots from in close, but neither found the net.
NKU withstood that MU surge and made it 2-0 in the 60th minute when Shawna Zaken got got a step on a defender and scored on a shot from 15 yards out. The RedHawks got that tally back in the 63rd minute when they drew a foul in the penalty area and
Olivia Winnett converted the ensuing penalty kick to make it a 2-1 contest.
That Winnett tally was Miami's final shot of the afternoon, however, and Chloe Mills put the contest away by catching the upper 90 from a distance in the 80th minute.
Northern Kentucky outshot Miami by a 13-6 margin while also doubling MU up 6-3 on corner kicks.
The RedHawks begin their 2018 regular season on Friday when they take on Northwestern in the Hoosier Challenge Cup. Opening kick is at 4:30 p.m.
