BERKELEY, Calif. – Strong defense from the Miami University field hockey team helped the RedHawks to a 2-0 win over University of California Berkeley in their opening game of the season. Miami's defense killed 11 penalty corners and goalkeeper Isabelle Perese had six saves.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Impressive defense from the RedHawks in the first quarter, including two successful penalty corner kills, kept the score at 0-0 through its end.
• Just over two minutes into the second quarter, Miami broke the scoring drought when Mary Kate Barbee put one to the back of the goal to give the RedHawks a 1-0 lead.
• With less than two minutes remaining in the first half, Carlie Servis doubled the lead on a goal that was assisted by Reese Wearren.
• At the end of the first half, the RedHawk defense had defended six penalty corners successfully.
• The score remained 2-0 through the end of the third quarter and through the remainder of the game, giving the RedHawks their first win of the season.

"It was a defensive battle against an amazingly talented team," said Coach Iñako Puzo. "I am very proud of the team—their heart, their passion, the relentless fight they put today. Today was about hard work and the hard work paid off."

"We came in with the mindset that we were going to outwork Cal today," said Barbee. "It paid off. We kept staying strong together and working as a team, committing to supporting each other to the final whistle."
 
UP NEXT: 
Tomorrow, August 26, the RedHawks will stay in California to face the University of California Davis in Davis, Calif. at 6 p.m. ET.