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Dinges leads Miami soccer into weekend

By Justin Woods, For The Miami Student

The Miami University women's soccer is off to a soaring 9- 2 start for many reasons - the bench has been tapped with resounding success, the defense has been a fortress and a host of freshmen have made significant contributions. But if you're looking for one reason the RedHawks are flying toward another Mid-American Conference title, look no further than Kelsey Dinges.

The senior midfielder has already matched her 2013 goal total of seven just over halfway through the 2014 season. Though Dinges didn't find the net in the first three games, she has since caught fire and scored seven goals in the last eight matches. Dinges also has three assists to her credit.

Miami head coach Bobby Kramig is thrilled with Dinges' fast start, but doesn't want the RedHawks to turn into a one-woman team.

"Kelsey's having a great year - there's no doubt about it," Kramig said. "Certainly she's worked hard and deserves it, but we don't wanna be one-dimensional."

And Miami has been anything but one-dimensional - eight RedHawks have scored and 10 have at least one assist.

"It's nice that we can spread these [goals] out as much as possible," Kramig said. "That's gonna more opportunities for Kels, and everybody benefits."

This weekend, Dinges leads Miami to Kent State University and Ohio University. After wrapping up a successful, lengthy home stand, Kramig and the 'Hawks are ready to hit the road.

"We're kinda looking forward to it [road games] to be honest," Kramig said. "I think we could use a change of scenery."

Kent State owns a 7-3- overall record and is coming off a victory over preseason

MAC favorite Western Michigan University to jump to -1-1 in conference play. Ohio University holds a 5-7 record and a steady - mark in the MAC.

During the charmed 20-3-1 2012 season, the RedHawks also visited Kent State carrying a 9- record. Dinges, a member of that squad as a sophomore, doesn't see this year's impressive start as a shock.

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"I don't know if we're surprising ourselves," Dinges said. "We had high expectations and we're gonna keep them."

Kramig wants to make sure the RedHawks don't look in the rearview mirror and enjoy their accomplishments until all is said and done.

"I'm not really too focused on the record," Kramig said. "The record is just your history. As far as we're concerned, we're 0-0-0 going into the games this weekend."

Miami faces Kent State 4 p.m. Friday and kicks off in Athens 1 p.m. Sunday.