Oct. 4, 2002

OXFORD, Ohio - Playing in a steady rain, a soggy Miami University field hockey team came up one goal short Friday afternoon in Mid-American Conference field hockey action, falling to Ball State University, 1-0, despite another strong outing from goalie Kerri Orr (San Diego, Calif./Serra) and a late offensive surge.

Ball State's Kristy Maughton put the game's lone score on the board at 22:15 in the first half, benefitting from an Allison Haynes assist. Despite firing 16 shots and earning six penalty corners in the opening half, Ball State was unable to put another shot past Orr, who collected six first-half saves.

Despite the deficit and the miserable conditions, the RedHawks rallied in the second half and were at their best during the game's final five minutes. While Orr turned away another six shots on goal, the offense found some rhythm, picking up four second-half penalty corners, including one in the closing minutes that gave the Red and White a chance to tie.

Orr finished the game with 12 saves while allowing only one goal against 23 Cardinal shots and 11 penalty corners. Leading the RedHawk offense were Katie Palisoul (Bethesda, Md./Walt Whitman) and Lindi Bortnik (Hudson, Ohio/Hudson), who each tallied two shots.

Miami, which hosts Central Michigan University Saturday, dropped to 1-8 and 0-3 in the MAC. Ball State, which improved to 5-3 overall, travels to Louisville Saturday to face the ninth-ranked Cardinals.