Sept. 30, 2007

OXFORD, Ohio -- - The Miami soccer team received goals from three different players, including the game-winning tally from freshman Sara Lund (Malmo, Sweden/Malmo Borgarskola) in the 49th minute to give the RedHawks a 3-2 victory over Central Michigan at the Miami Soccer Field Sunday afternoon. The win was the first of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) season for Miami (3-4-2/1-1 MAC).

RedHawk sophomore Allison Berkey (Hopkinton, Mass./Hopkinton) scored the first marker of the day when she converted a free kick in the 21st minute. The goal was her first of the season and fifth point of the campaign.

The Chippewas (4-5-1/0-2 MAC) responded with two quick goals of their own, however. Amanda Waugh struck in the 33rd minute and Stephanie Martin provided a lamplighter just 48 seconds later to give the visitors a 2-1 lead.

With less than two minutes remaining in the half, Miami rookie Rachel Byron (Elkhart, Ind./Mishawaka Marian) notched her first collegiate goal and evened the score at 2-2. Fellow freshman Eva Candia (Malmo, Sweden/Malmo Borgarskola) set up the play with a brilliant pass through the center of the field that allowed Byron to gain separation and then beat CMU goalkeeper Shay Mannino. The assist was Candia's first as a RedHawk.

As the teams headed to the half-time intermission, Central Michigan held a 14-7 lead in shots.

The game-winner by Lund was an unassisted marker that resulted from a great individual effort by the RedHawks' leading scorer. With the ball near the front of the Chippewas' net, Lund was able to make a quick steal that led to the eventual goal. Lund now has 10 points in her first nine games in a Miami uniform.

CMU would mount a 13-6 shot advantage in the second frame, but sophomore Krista Pace (Toronto, Ontario/Birchmont Park) stood tall in goal for the RedHawks.

Arguably the best chance for the Chippewas came in the 85th minute as Martin teed off with a long-range shot that Pace knocked away up high at the last second.

CMU had a corner kick in the waning minutes, but Pace again kept the ball out of the net to secure a total of 10 saves and her third win of the season.

Mannino made four saves and saw her record fall to 3-4-0 for the visitors.

Overall, CMU outshot Miami 27-13, including a 12-7 mark in shots on goal.

The RedHawks continue MAC competition with a match at Akron this Friday (Oct. 5).

Notes: Today's win was the first for Miami against Central Michigan since Oct. 24,2004, when the RedHawks posted a 3-1 victory in Oxford.