Miami Field Hockey splits over Weekend

After being nationally ranked to start the season, Miami University field hockey is now 2-5 after winning one of two games this weekend in Virginia.

Friday, the RedHawks lost to No. 11 Virginia, 2-0, and Sunday the team shut out Richmond, winning 3-0.

Friday’s game was scoreless through most of the first half. Early in the second quarter, sophomore standout Claudia Negrete Garcia nearly put Miami ahead when she fired a ball off the goalpost.

But it would be Virginia who scored first, when freshman striker Taryn Tkachuk put home a penalty stroke opportunity.

With less than a minute left in the third quarter, Virginia found some insurance. Senior striker Peyton Tollaksen deflected a high cross into the Miami net to make the score 2-0.

Miami came out fast on Sunday. The RedHawks took an early lead when senior forward Taylor Curran put home a rebound late in the first quarter.

The score would stay 1-0 until the third quarter when Miami scored twice in four minutes. First, senior midfielder Lexie Nugent deflected home a drive from senior midfielder Morgan Sturm. Just under four minutes later, Garcia sent a backhand shot into the net.

Next, Miami travels to North Carolina for two games. The team plays Appalachian State Friday at 3 p.m., then travels to Chapel Hill to face off against No.4 North Carolina Sunday at noon.

@jacksmerz

schmelj2@miamioh.edu