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Field hockey splits weekend against MSU and No. 8 Maryland

By Bryan Wills, The Miami Student

After earning its second Mid-American Conference win in a 3-0 victory against Missouri State University (3-9) Friday, the Miami University women's field hockey fell 6-2 to No. 8 University of Maryland (10-3) Sunday.

The RedHawks stand at 7-6, 2-0 MAC on the season.

Freshman midfielder Paula Portugal opened up the scoring in the first half of Friday's game on a penalty corner with an assist from senior midfielder Bea Dechant.

In the second half, junior forward Carla Romagosa dished an assist to redshirt sophomore back/midfielder Mariona Heras, who scored MU's second goal. Dechant capped off the 3-0 shutout with an unassisted goal late in the second half.

"We decided to take our game and to do what we wanted," said junior midfielder Kate McLaughlin. "That's our big thing right now - is to not only take what the other team gives us, but to take what we want to take."

The victory gives the 'Hawks much needed momentum as the race for the MAC begins.

"MAC is our number one priority," said head coach Inako Puzo. "Building momentum is very important, and that's what we strive to do."

The RedHawks turned their attention to Maryland on Sunday, and ultimately came up short in a 6-2 loss. Miami is 0-6 versus top-10 teams.

"I am very proud of my team and how they fought to the end," Puzo said. "I don't think the scoreboard shows us the quality of how we played."

Freshmen midfielder Estel Roig scored on a tip during a penalty corner to give Miami its first goal, and Dechant snuck a penalty stroke passed Maryland freshmen goalkeeper Sarah Holliday for the Red and White's second goal.

"We didn't attack as much in the first half as we did in the second half," Dechant said. "We need to keep following our instincts … I never doubted we couldn't win. We never stop believing as a team."

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Miami wraps up its six-game home stretch this weekend against Ball State University Friday night and Rutgers University Sunday afternoon.