RedHawk athletics were hot this weekend, as every Miami University team playing at home won during the Homecoming Weekend-including the soccer team, which won two Mid-American Conference games.
The RedHawks took down Western Michigan University 4-0 Friday night, and then followed up with another solid performance Sunday, beating Northern Illinois University 2-0.
"It's the MAC and every game is a big game," Head Coach Bobby Kramig said. "Regardless of whether you're playing a top team in the league or a bottom team in the league, a win is still three points. That's what makes this league so fun and so entertaining; it's so doggone competitive."
Miami played well on both sides of the ball, scoring six times between the two games while backed by solid defensive efforts that did not relinquish a goal all weekend.
The 'Hawks' scoring attack was led by freshman Sara Lund, who scored in both of the weekend's games. Lund is one of two freshmen players for the RedHawks who are from Sweden. She has made a huge contribution to the team on the field, with seven goals so far this season.
"I think I bring another vision of the game," Lund said. "The first thing I noticed here is that it's more physical and I was not used to that. But having a different vision helps because we learn from each other and that's a good experience for me."
Lund and her Swedish teammate Eva Candia have taken full advantage of their opportunity to play in the US. Immersing themselves in American culture, the two are now a part of a very tight group of girls.
"They are acclimating very well," Kramig said. "That was something that we knew was going to take a little bit of time, and not just with soccer, but with everything. They are just great kids and they fit in really well. The girls on this team have been very generous to them. I think they're having a good time being here and our kids are having a good time having them here."
Although they are both in their first year of play at Miami, both Lund and Candia are each 21 years old, and bring age and experience to an otherwise very young and maturing team.
"Technically, they are both very good players," Kramig said. "One of the things that appealed to us about bringing in kids from Sweden is that they were a little bit older. We had such a huge graduating class last year and we knew that we were going to be so young this year. Being able to bring in two players that have had the experience that these two have had, it instantly aged our team. I think that they are both very sophisticated players who know the game. They understand the game and they know how to play."
While Lund and Candia are older players, it is the only two seniors on the team who have stepped up into the leadership role this season.
"Most definitely I have to step up my game," senior captain Jaclyn Levant said. "It has really helped having young girls who are constantly wanting to work 110 percent; that's making me better. It also means that I have to step it up to 110 percent and make them better."
Levant anchors a defensive unit that played very well this weekend. Miami's defense made it an easy day for sophomore goal keeper Krista Pace who had to make just five saves in the shutout.
Sunday the RedHawks faced an aggressive Northern Illinois University team that put constant pressure on Miami's end with 24 shots. However, Miami's defense was able to keep the Huskies off the scoreboard and put up two goals of their own.
"To have two shutouts and to sweep the weekend is incredible," Levant said. "It gives us good motivation for next week, especially since we have two really big games next week. We're
getting things right and its all coming together now."
Miami will continue to play through the meat of its conference schedule next weekend when Toledo and Bowling Green come to Oxford.
"We have to stay fresh, we have to keep motivated and know that Miami soccer is on the ground," Levant said.
