Sept. 15, 2002

BOONE, N.C. - The Miami University (1-4) field hockey team dropped another tough contest this afternoon as Davidson stole a decision by winning in a stroke-off 3-1. Both teams battled through torrential downpours and 100 minutes of scoreless play on Appalachian State's Kidd Brewer Stadium before the contest was finally decided in the tie-breaking stroke competition.

Both teams in the first half had difficulty get any sort of offensive rhythm as Davidson held a 3-1 edge in shots. Miami's best scoring opportunity came when freshman Marnie Pickering (Hudson, Ohio/Hudson) ripped a shot from 10-yards out but was stopped by the Wildcats' goalkeeper.

The second half followed suit with the first period as both Miami and Davidson each managed to squeeze off three shots on net, respectively. Neither team had any real scoring chances in the frame despite the Wildcats holding a 3-1 penalty corner advantage.

In their first overtime game of the season the RedHawks recorded zero shots in the two 15-minute periods, but forced the game into a stroke-off as Davidson could not score either. Sophomore goalie Kerri Orr (San Diego, Calif./Serra) made the only save in the period preserving Miami's chances for victory.

The coin flip at the end of double overtime resulted in Miami junior Amy Butterworth (Rochester, N.Y./Brighton) taking the first stroke, and she gave the RedHawks an early 1-0 advantage by flipping the ball past Davidson's goalie. Davidson responded by successfully scoring on their first stroke, and then grasped the lead as Miami's second stroker failed to find the back of the net. The Wildcats scored twice more as the Red and White never tallied another positive stroke. After 100 minutes of scoreless field hockey the Wildcats won the best-of-five stroke-off 3-1, and also a 1-0 decision in the contest.

The RedHawks continue their road stretch next week as they travel to Columbus, Ohio on Sunday, Sept. 22, for a 1 p.m. contest versus Ohio State. Miami's first Mid-American Conference action opens at Kent State on Sept. 27, and at Ohio on Sept. 28.

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