BOONE, N.C. – The Miami University field hockey team (5-4, 2-0 MAC) shutout Appalachian State on Friday by a 2-0 margin in its first of two games in North Carolina this weekend.

"I think today's game was really intense," said senior Marie Görner. "Basically a typical conference game. We put a lot of energy and intensity in the game. In the fourth quarter, App State was putting more pressure on us, however, we found a good way to move the ball out of the back. We played very well with each other which made the game even more fun!"

Miami earned the first two penalty corners of the game and took the first five shots before Appalachian State got a penalty corner and shot to end the first quarter and another to begin the second.

Lexi Silver put the RedHawks on the board first during the 19^th minute of play. She scored her fourth of the season from in front of the cage with Noor Breedijk earning the assist.

Freshman goalkeeper Isabelle Perese made a save with less than a minute remaining in the first half to preserve Miami's 1-0 lead going into halftime.

At the half, the RedHawks had the 8-4 lead in shots, 5-3 lead in shots on goal and 4-2 lead in penalty corners. Perese made three saves during the first half.

Miami took the only two shots on the field in the third quarter. Appalachian State goalkeeper Rachel Gaines made her fifth save of the game to keep it a one-goal game going into the final quarter of play.

Leonor Berlie scored on a direct penalty corner from Neely Lochmoeller and Görner to increase the RedHawks' lead to 2-0 with 13 minutes to play. This was Berlie's third of the season.

Perese made her fourth and final save of the game during the 51^st minute of play on the Mountaineers lone shot of the second half to preserve her second solo shutout of the season.

"Winning a MAC game is no easy feat," said Silver. "Our conference is all about the battle, from start to end. Today, we were relentless. I'm proud of how collective the effort was today from everyone on the field to the bench. We're so strong when we work together and we will carry this mentality into Sunday's game."

Berlie led all players with six shots and five shots on goal. Miami led in shots 13-5, shots on goal 9-4 and penalty corners 5-3.

The RedHawks play at Davidson on Sunday at 1 p.m. to conclude the road trip.