Sept. 27, 2002

KENT, Ohio- The 10th-ranked Kent State University field hockey team (6-1, 1-0 MAC) defeated Miami University (1-6, 0-1 MAC) in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) opener for both teams Sept. 27 at Dix Stadium. Five different Golden Flashes scored in the game and Kent State took 36 shots and 19 penalty corners compared to the RedHawks one shot and one penalty corner, respectively.

The scoring started early for Kent State as Helen Jerdan scored on a direct penalty corner from Rebecca Rahaim and Kristen Johnson 1:14 into the game. Just two minutes later, Fiona Brew scored her first goal in a Kent State uniform unassisted. Jennifer Melnyk added an unassisted goal at 18:18 to give the Golden Flashes a 3-0 halftime advantage.

Kent State struck at 45:10 on an unassisted penalty corner shot from Tess Meuleman to give KSU a 4-0 lead. Meuleman connected again at 67:40 on a shot from the top of the circle. The scoring commenced on Johnson's unassisted goal with just 54 seconds remaining.

Kent State used all 20 players, which included goalkeepers Jessica Creeden and Linz Markwart. Creeden earned the win, stopping one Miami shot late in the first half, while the duo split the shutout.

"We still haven't played a full game with a full team effort," head coach Lil Fesperman says. "The little details aren't getting done, but we'll go out tomorrow, regroup and see what we can do against Ohio."

The Golden Flashes had more chances to score, but Miami sophomore Kerri Orr (San Diego, Calif./Serra) had an excellent game, stopping 15 shots and clearing other loose chances. Orr's 15 saves is a career high.

The RedHawks play the last game of their seven-game road stretch as they play Ohio University at 1 p.m. in Athens, Ohio. Miami returns home on Oct. 4 as it hosts Ball State at 3 p.m. on the Miami Turf Field.