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RedHawks suffer tough weekend

Chris Hopkins, For The Miami Student

Over the past weekend, the Miami University women's soccer team suffered two tough losses to Ball State University and the University of Toledo. The RedHawks are suffering their first three-game losing streak since 2008.

On Sept. 30, Miami faced the Ball State Cardinals in Oxford. The 'Hawks got out to another slow start, but unfortunately, they were unable to recover like they were able to in previous slow starts. Ball State capitalized from the Red and White's sluggish start by scoring the first goal of the game in the 11th minute off a Bridgit Redder header. A mere 10 minutes later, Jasmine Moses of Ball State benefited off a Miami turnover in their zone by hitting a shot from 25 yards out.

Miami senior Sarah Dessfelt was almost able to cut the score in half in the 31st minute off a corner kick but Cardinals defender Amanda Dreyfuss was in the right place at the right time to stop the shot. The two teams went into the half with Ball State leading 2-0.

The RedHawks were able to get on the board in the 78th minute following a fancy display of dribbling from freshman Kelsey Dinges who hit a shot from the top of the box. However, Miami could not score again and lost the game 2-1.

Two days later, Miami took on the defending Mid-American Conference regular season champions, the University of Toledo Rockets. The game was held in Oxford and Miami held its Senior Day, which had been postponed during a rainout at the RedHawk Shootout earlier in the season. The festivities honored Haley Clark, Courtney Clarke, Krysti Clarke, Sarah Dessfelt and Giselle Mangal. Unfortunately, the 'Hawks could not help the seniors add to their special day as they fell to the Rockets 3-0.

Miami had a strong start but Toledo's leading scorer, Rachel MacLeod silenced the effort by scoring off an 18-yard blast that slipped just inside the left post. The Rockets did not score again in the first half but added a goal in the 51st minute and the 78th minute. Miami was unable to take advantage of the many scoring opportunities they had; redshirt freshman Allison Norrenberg matched a career high with five saves. 

 "We learned why Toledo's now 4-0 in the league and at the top," Head Coach Bobby Kramig said. "They're a good team, very committed to what they're doing."

Miami will attempt to snap their three-game losing skid Friday at Central Michigan University.


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