Miami players battle it out with California's defense in Friday's double overtime loss. The RedHawks rebounded to beat Central Michigan 1-0 Saturday. (Jeff Creech)
Determination was the name of the game Saturday afternoon, as the Miami University field hockey team defeated Central Michigan University 1-0. Bouncing back from a devastating 4-3 loss in overtime the previous day against California-Berkley, the RedHawks were determined to come out victorious.
"We tried to stay consistent today," said senior Danielle Perrecone. "We played more of a mental game, and at halftime we knew that we had to bring ourselves together and stick to our game plan."
Miami (5-7 overall, 2-1 Mid-American Conference) dominated control of the ball throughout the scoreless first half, out-shooting CMU 9-5. Although appearing frustrated in their many attempts at scoring, the RedHawks knew they couldn't drop their level of play.
"I have to give Central Michigan credit - their goalkeeper really kept them in the game, she made some amazing saves," said Head Coach Jill Reeves.
Junior Alyssa Nye finally connected with the cage by capitalizing off of her own rebound less than 10 minutes into the second half. It was Nye's fifth goal of the season.
Miami's formidable defense kept the 'Hawks ahead for the remaining 25 minutes. Clearing the ball from inside the circle at every chance, the intensity of the defense held a 9-6 advantage in penalty corners over Central Michigan (5-5 overall, 0-2 MAC). Sophomore goalkeeper Megan Stengel notched her first career shutout with the six-save performance.
The conference victory was a needed one after the team fell in an overtime heartbreaker against the No. 14 Golden Bears the previous day.
"We came out there thinking it doesn't matter who they are, they don't know who we are," Perrecone said.
The Bears quickly learned who the 'Hawks were. Consistently beating Cal to the ball, the team showed an improvement in the girls' movement on the field.
"We have been working a lot on intercepting and being first to the ball," Perrecone said. "If we let them have the ball, (we) have the stick skills to (get it back)."
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Sophomore Mary Hull scored at 4:48 in the first half after receiving a pass from classmate Courtney Fretz at the top of the circle. The Golden Bears quickly answered back at 12:47 with Valentina Godfrid capitalizing on an offensive penalty corner. The Bears took the lead with their second goal scored by Gwen Belomy. Answering back, Miami's Deb Leighton found the back of the cage off of a ricochet from Taylor Florence's slap shot from the right side of the circle, tying the score before halftime.
The Golden Bears then took a 3-2 lead with nine minutes to go in the second half. However the 'Hawks once again responded quickly as freshman Katie Brightwell found Hull deep into the offensive zone.
Similar to her first goal, Hull slipped the ball into the cage forcing the overtime period.
While the first overtime was ineffective, both Cal and Miami fought through a tough second overtime period.
Miami ultimately fell within the first three minutes as Cal got a fortunate bounce from a Godfrid shot at the top of the circle that dribbled into the goal.
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