Field Hockey Sweeps Weekend

For the first time this season, Miami field hockey had a perfect weekend.

Friday, the team moved to 2-0 in Mid-American Conference (MAC) play with a shutout win over Longwood University.

Bearing down on halftime Friday, first-year midfielder Kennedy Vinson gave the RedHawks the lead with her first collegiate goal. She found the back of the net after a penalty corner with 27 seconds remaining in the half.

Miami came up with some insurance quickly after the second half started. Less than 2 minutes into the third quarter, first-year midfielder Becca Kline scored after a pass from sophomore forward Claudia Negrete Garcia.

The RedHawks went on to score another goal before the game finished. Kline found sophomore striker Paula Peña at the top of the scoring circle, and Peña scorched a shot into the bottom left of the cage.

Sunday, the team fared well again and beat non-conference opponent Saint Francis 4-0.

Miami dominated the first quarter. With eight seconds remaining in the quarter, senior forward Garcia scored off an assist from Noor Breedijk. The RedHawks outshot SFU 5-0 through one frame.

The score stayed 1-0 until halftime, and at the break Miami led in shots 7-0.

Miami scored twice in the third quarter. Garcia sent a reverse-chip shot into the top corner of the cage about halfway through the quarter. Then, first-year midfielder Carlie Servis capitalized on a penalty corner attempt with time running out.

Senior midfielder Lexi Nugent tacked on another goal early in the fourth to make the score 4-0. Miami outshot Saint Francis 16-3, and earned 15 penalty corners compared to only three for the Red Flashes.

The RedHawks will remain in Oxford for the next two games. Friday, Miami plays MAC-opponent Ball State at 1 p.m., and Sunday they host No. 16 Wake Forest at 1 p.m.

@jacksmerz