Mid-American Conference

OXFORD, Ohio – The top-seeded Miami University field hockey team (15-6) won the MAC Tournament Championship by beating No. 2 Kent State (8-12) by a 5-3 margin on Saturday. The RedHawks won the regular season MAC Championship by going undefeated in conference play during the regular season.
 
Avery Sturm, Kendall Hunker, Estel Roig and Noor Breedijk were named to the MAC All-Tournament Team. Sturm was also named MAC Tournament MVP.
 
The RedHawks' 15 wins this season tie the record for wins in a single season since the beginning of the NCAA era in 1981.
 
Miami started off the game strong, taking four shots and earning two corners in the first ten minutes of play. The Kent State defense and goalkeeper Mary Crumlish kept the game scoreless.
 
The RedHawks scored the first goal of the game during the 13th minute of play. Paula Portugal took the ball into the circle and put away her 24th goal of the season on a shot that Crumlish could not stop.
 
In the 20th minute of play, Kenzie Peterson gave Miami a two-goal lead with her fifth goal of the season. The initial shot from Morgan Sturm was saved and the rebound popped out to Peterson, who wasted no time getting it to the back of the cage.
 
Kent State did not take its first shot of the game until the 24th minute. After this shot, the RedHawks gained possession for the next four shots and one penalty corner chance. It was the Golden Flashes who would score on their first penalty corner of the game during the 33rd minute of play to cut the 'Hawks lead in half entering halftime.
 
At the half, Miami led in shots (12-2), shots on goal (5-0) and penalty corners (3-1).
 
The Red and White started the second half strong, taking two shots and earning a penalty corner in the first four minutes.
 
Leonor Berlie put the RedHawks up by two goals during the 39th minute of play. Berlie's first shot of the sequence was saved by Crumlish but Berlie got to her own rebound. Her backhand shot put away her seventh goal of the season.
 
Less than two minutes later, Kent State cut Miami's lead in half once again with another penalty corner goal.
 
The RedHawks answered back during the 43rd minute with another goal on the rebound, this time being scored by Lexi Silver – her second of the season.
 
In the 49th minute of play, Noor Breedijk scored her second goal of the season. Breedijk took the ball into the circle on her own and beat Crumlish.
 
Miami got close to scoring again in the 52nd minute, but a defensive save from Ashley Bonetz kept the game at 5-2.
 
With less than 12 minutes to play, Kent State put together a string of five shots and two penalty corners but a couple key saves from Maddie Passarella kept the ball out of the back of the cage.
 
Despite numerous offensive chances by the RedHawks, it was the Golden Flashes who capped the scoring with less than three minutes to play with a penalty corner goal.
 
Miami led the game in shots (25-10) and shots on goal (16-6). Portugal led both teams with six shots while Berlie and Mariona Heras each took five.
 
The RedHawks go to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time under Iñako Puzo. Miami's opponent will be determined during the NCAA Tournament selection show on Sunday, Nov. 4 at 10 p.m. ET.

All-Tournament Team
Varlee Van Heertum, Appalachian State
Friederike Stegen, Appalachian State
Emma Eggleston, Ohio
Alex Pennington, Ohio
Helen Harper, Kent State 
Jessica Apelt, Kent State 
Courtney Weise, Kent State 
Avery Sturm, Miami (Tournament MVP)
Estel Roig, Miami
Noor Breedijk, Miami
Kendall Hunker, Miami