Second Half Goals Lead Miami Over Pacific
Thursday’s Scoreboard
Miami 3, Pacific 1
Longwood, UMass-Lowell --- Cancelled
Stories Courtesy of MAC Sports Information
Miami 3, Pacific 1
Box Score
STOCKTON, Calif. – The Miami University field hockey team beat Pacific by a 3-1 margin to begin its three-game California trip. The RedHawks improve to 2-1 on the season and the Tigers drop to 2-2.
"The team worked together and was relentless for the entire game to come away with a great win against a very talented and very well-coached team," said head coach Iñako Puzo. "It took a lot of work and discipline to get this victory. We have to be sure to take the lessons we learned from this game to our next game. We have to keep building up on today's performance. Just with hard work, discipline and humility we will be able to keep improving our game."
"We played a relentless defense today and has each other's back from the opening whistle," said Kirsten McNeil. "We didn't look at the scoreboard but just kept playing for each other. It was a total team effort."
"We worked hard to make opportunities and to finish those opportunities," said Kenzie Peterson. "It was about our not letting up and working as a team. That was shown in three different goal scorers today. It was a great team victory and we can build from this."
The RedHawks controlled possession to start the game, but it was the Tigers that got onto the scoreboard first. In the ninth minute of play, Pacific got an offensive chance in front of the RedHawks' net and scrambled to take the lead.
Less than four minutes later, Kirsten McNeil tied the game for Miami with her first goal of the season. McNeil tipped in an indirect shot on the RedHawks' first penalty corner chance of the game. Kendall Hunker picked up the assist.
The teams remained tied at one goal apiece at halftime. Miami led the game in shots (6-4) and penalty corners (3-2) after the first half.
The Red and White controlled possession to start the second half, earning the first six shots of the half before the Tigers registered another shot.
Kenzie Peterson gave Miami its first lead of the game in the 50thminute of play off a pass from Paula Portugal.
Immediately after the RedHawks took the 2-1 lead, Pacific marched down the field and earned a penalty corner. Maddie Passarella made a crucial save to keep Miami ahead.
Lexie Nugent scored her first goal of the season, beating the goalkeeper to the back corner to put the RedHawks up 3-1 with 15 minutes to play. Gabby Luxardo was credited with the assist.
The Tigers earned two penalty corners in the last five minutes of the game, but could not get past the Miami defensive front.
Portugal led both teams with four shots. Nugent had three. Passarella recorded three saves.
Miami finished the game leading in shots (15-9) and shots on goal (11-7).
The RedHawks take on UC Davis on Saturday at 3 p.m. ET.
