Central Michigan University Athletics
Chippewas Drop MAC Opener to Miami, 4-1
9/21/2012 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
MOUNT PLEASANT - Despite outshooting Miami and taking twice as many corners in the match, Central Michigan dropped its Mid-American Conference opener Saturday afternoon, 4-1.
The Chippewas (3-5, 0-1 MAC) were unable to take advantage of their 18 shots, half of which were on goal, and their 10 penalty corners, while the RedHawks (3-6, 1-0 MAC) converted four of their six shots on goal.
Senior midfielder Erin Dye scored her team-high fifth goal of the season at the 52 minute mark to cut the Chippewas' deficit in half, 2-1, but Miami's Kaitlin Evans scored just over three minutes later to put the deficit back at two, 3-1.
Emily Gruesser was able to get a run on the Chippewas' defense and took a shot from just inside the circle and Evans was able to put a stick on it to deflect it past senior goalkeeper Anastasia Netto.
CMU continued to battle in an attempt to muster a comeback, putting four shots on goal in a three minute span following Evans goal, but MU goalkeeper Sarah Mueller was able to protect the visiting team's lead. Mueller finished the day with nine saves.
The RedHawks scored their final goal of the match at the 67 minute mark when Ali Froede found the back of the cage on assists from Olivia Miller and Sid Marcum.
Miami needed just 7:21 to score the first goal of the match as Miller beat Netto for her first goal of the season and the RedHawks increased their first half lead to 2-0 on Valentina Neira's first goal of the season. A CMU defender aided the goal scored by Neira as her shot was deflected by the defender past Netto for the score.
Dye led the Chippewas with five shots on the day, four of which met the keeper, while junior Bailey McKeon finished the day with four shots and junior Abby Roth three.
The Chippewas will continue their homestand Sunday when they play host to No. 13 Iowa at noon.
