Field Hockey Downed by Miami (Ohio), 2-0

Sept. 24, 2016

EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State field hockey team dropped its Saturday afternoon match against Miami University, 2-0. The Spartans fall to 4-4 on the year while the RedHawks improve to 5-5.

"Miami played forward and played ready to win and we came out and played not to lose," said head coach Helen Knull. "We played very reactive and it took us until the last eight minutes to play how we should have been the entire game, but at that point it is too late."

The opening part of the first half was a battle for possession and momentum and Miami turned the game in its favor with a goal in the 18th minute to take a 1-0 lead. After a flurry of shots in front, Miami's Carla Romagosa found the back of the net for her third goal of the season.

Miami then generated a majority of the opportunities for the remainder of the opening frame. The Redhawks outshot the Spartans 7-1 in the first half, but goalkeeper Sierra Patton made three saves to keep the deficit at one heading into the break.

Romagosa then added an insurance goal in the game's 60th minute to give Miami a secure 2-0 lead. After the ball found its way into the circle from the right side, Romagosa sent a shot that went floating over the head of Patton and into the net.

Patton, making her first start of the season, recorded five saves in the contest.

"We need to come out with more intensity from the first whistle tomorrow. There were parts of today that we played very well, but we have to take care of our opportunities and get momentum going in our favor early, because when you dig a hole, it is hard to climb back out of it."

MSU returns to action tomorrow against Ohio State at 2 p.m. The game will take place at Ralph Young Field and will be featured live on BTN Plus.

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Players Mentioned

Sierra Patton