Miami Drops Heartbreaker in Shootout at No. 25 Michigan State

Friday, September 13

East Lansing, Mich.

3:00 p.m. ET

Miami University

(2-3)

No. 25 Michigan State

(4-1)

MIAMI

Michigan State

Miami Drops Heartbreaker in Shootout at No. 25 Michigan State

9/13/2019 5:49:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score Miami 2, Michigan State 3 (SO)

The RedHawks fell 2-3 to the Spartans in extra shots in a shootout.

EAST LANSING, Mich. – The Miami University field hockey team (2-3) began the weekend with a heartbreaking shootout loss at No. 25 Michigan State on Friday, losing 3-2.

Freshman goalkeeper Isabelle Perese made three saves during the first quarter to keep the game scoreless after 15 minutes as Michigan State had the 5-2 edge in shots. Miami earned two penalty corners compared to MSU's one.

Three minutes into the second quarter, the Spartans got onto the scoreboard first.

Senior forward Lexi Silver would tie the game before halftime with a deflection on a shot from Allie Grace Joyner on a penalty corner chance. This was Silver's second goal of the season.

Michigan State held the 9-7 advantage in shots during the first half while Miami had the 4-2 advantage in penalty corners.

The RedHawks outshot the Spartans 3-2 in the third quarter but the game remained tied at one after three quarters of play.

Senior forward Gabby Luxardo broke the tie in the 52^nd minute of play with her first goal of the season. Luxardo deflected in a shot from junior midfielder Leonor Berlie.

Michigan State tied the game less than two minutes later with a goal on a rebound after the initial save from Perese to force Miami's first overtime game of the season. The RedHawks held the 19-15 advantage in shots after outshooting the Spartans 9-4 in the fourth quarter. Miami's defense held Michigan State's offense to no penalty corner chances in the second half.

The Spartans took the lone shot in each of the overtime periods despite the RedHawks offensive pressure as the game required a shootout to decide.

Freshman midfielder/forward Noor Breedijk, senior back Kirsten McNeil and Berlie all scored during the shootout but ultimately, Michigan State came away with the win in extra shots.

Berlie led all players with five shots while Joyner led all players with three shots on goal. Perese made seven saves during the timed contest. Shots and saves during the shootout do not count towards the game's totals.

The RedHawks return home to host Saint Francis on Sunday at 2 p.m. for youth day.