RedHawks outshoot Mastodons, 22-10, but fall, 1-0

OXFORD, Ohio – Despite numerous chances, the Miami University women’s soccer team could not find the back of the net and the RedHawks were ultimately edged in double overtime by IPFW, 1-0, Friday evening at Miami Soccer Field. The loss snaps a three-game winning streak for Miami (5-2-0) as the Mastodons (3-3-0) became the first team to shut out the RedHawks this year.

Miami controlled much of the match, outshooting IPFW, 22-10, and earning 12 corner kicks, but the ‘Hawks were unable to capitalize on their opportunities. The Mastodons took over in the second overtime however, earning three corner kicks in the first few minutes before tallying the game-winner with just 2:31 remaining in the contest. Rachel Good carried the ball down the left flank and sent a cross into the box where Danielle Bishop was waiting unmarked and headed the ball just inside the far post to give IPFW the victory.

“It was not finishing, pure and simple. I thought we were too soft in the final third and in front of goal. I really think that’s the bottom line for us in this game,” head coach Bobby Kramig said. “We didn’t adjust as well as I would’ve liked us to. They played a very withdrawn back line which for us as a speed team, that makes it a little difficult, but we have other things we can do and we were a bit slow to make those adjustments. At the end of the day though, 22 shots and 10 corners ought to be enough to get at least one goal. We have no one to blame but ourselves.”

The RedHawks came out applying pressure and had several good looks early in the match. Junior Katy Dolesh (Chardon, Ohio) nearly scored just three minutes into the contest but IPFW goalkeeper Sam Pavlika made a diving save to her right to keep the ball out of the net. Dolesh had two more good scoring chances over the next five minutes, one coming off a corner kick that Pavlika again denied, while the ‘Hawks earned four corner kicks in the first nine minutes of the game.

The tempo slowed a bit as the opening half went on but Miami did not let up, firing 10 shots in the first 45 minutes, including three on goal, while the Mastodons managed their only shot of the period in the 40th minute when Sydney Hoareau’s blast bounced off the post. The RedHawks also earned 10 corner kicks to IPFW’s one before halftime but multiple headers off the corners went high or wide.

With just over 25 minutes left in regulation, Miami may have had its best chance to score as sophomore Kelsey Dinges (Smithton, Ill.) crossed to an open Jess Kodiak (Naperville, Ill.) in front of goal but her header from less than 10 yards out sailed over the crossbar. Hoareau had another opportunity for the Mastodons just a few minutes later as she split the defense but redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Allison Norenberg (Palatine, Ill.) was quick off her line to force the shot just left of the goal.

Miami had two more near misses as the second stanza wound down, the first coming off the foot of junior Kayla Zakrzewski (London, Ont.), who fought off a defender on the left flank and beat Pavlika but her shot went inches right of the goal. Freshman Haley Walter (Cincinnati, Ohio) saw her shot miss wide right by inches just a few minutes later as regulation ended scoreless, despite a 20-7 shot advantage for the ‘Hawks.

Both teams managed just one shot in the first extra session as Bishop sent in a laser that Norenberg made a diving stop on four minutes into overtime. Freshman Morgan Beck (Cincinnati, Ohio) then blistered a shot that went just above the crossbar minutes later, which was Miami’s final opportunity, as the Mastodons seized momentum in the second overtime and ultimately the match with the game-winning goal in the 108th minute.

“They’re a very well-organized team, especially defensively,” Kramig said. “We were never able to find one of them one-on-one. They always had support and cover. That’s the sign of a well-organized team and that’s why they don’t give much up.”

Pavlika totaled six saves in victory for IPFW while Norenberg finished with four stops. Dolesh paced Miami with six shots, including two on goal, while Zakrzewski fired four shots for the RedHawks.

Miami looks to bounce back Sunday when the ‘Hawks travel to Terre Haute, Ind. for a match-up with Indiana State. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET.

--MURedHawks.com--