Recap: Miami soccer shutout by Western Michigan for second loss of the season

The Miami University RedHawks (4-2-3) suffered their second loss of the season in a 6-0 shutout against the Western Michigan University Broncos (4-1-4) on Sunday, Sept. 22.

The RedHawks’ first loss arrived in their third game against the Indiana State University Sycamores. In the nearly five weeks since then, Miami has gone 3-0-2 against opponents, including a 4-0 victory over the Chicago State University Cougars on Sept. 12.

Mid-American Conference (MAC) play began on Sept. 19 against the Northern Illinois University Huskies. The RedHawks tied 1-1 with the Huskies to start 0-0-1 in conference matches. The loss against the Broncos moved them to 0-1-1 and eighth in the conference standings.

The Broncos set the tone early in the game. Three minutes into the first half, graduate-student midfielder Maya Dean found the net off an assist from redshirt junior defender Abby Baldridge and senior forward Abby Werthman.

The RedHawks had two shots, one from first-year midfielder Ruby Casey and another from senior midfielder Makenna Morrison, but Western Michigan’s senior goalkeeper Lauren Boafo held them at bay. Boafo finished the game with three saves and allowed zero goals from the Red & White.

Twenty-six minutes in, junior midfielder Madi Canada earned her first goal as a Bronco to double their lead 2-0. The RedHawks’ momentum continued to slip in the 31st minute when graduate student forward Jen Blitchok scored off an assist from Canada.

Miami entered the second half down 3-0, but Western Michigan was relentless. Werthman added another goal in the 55th minute with assistance from Blitchok and senior forward Jenna Blackburn.

Blitchok scored the Broncos’ fifth and sixth goals within two minutes of each other to seal the RedHawks’ defeat. With 30 minutes to go, the RedHawks still couldn’t find the net and finished the game with nine shots, three of which were on goal.

Blitchok’s three goals against Miami put her at 10 this season, leading Western Michigan and tied for third in the country.

Sophomore goalkeeper Dominique Popa had eight saves, but the six goals allowed pushed her to an 80.8% save percentage and a 0.71 goals against average (GAA).

Miami plays on the road once more against the Kent State University Golden Flashes (5-2-1, 2-0 in MAC play) on Sept. 26 at 7 p.m.

@thekethan04