Nov. 2, 2001

LOUISIVILLE, Ky.-Slowed by the offensive struggles that plagued it for much of the season, Miami University's field hockey team was unable to take advantage of a strong defensive effort and fell to the University of Louisville, 4-0, in the first round of the Mid-American Conference Tournament.

Louisville (16-4, 8-3 MAC), which defeated Miami for the third time this season, advanced to face Kent State in the second round of the MAC Tournament, while Miami's season ended with a 2-19 overall record and 0-11 MAC mark.

"We couldn't get possession of the ball long enough to create an adequate offensive attack," head coach Lil Fesperman said. "Our defense could only hold up so long, and Louisville is the kind of team that could give us trouble with their movement."

Miami, led by goalkeeper Marie Vaughn (Davis, Calif./Davis), kept the game close in the first half, restricting the Cardinals to just one goal, which came off a Louisville penalty corner. Vaughn, who notched 16 saves on the day, made a critical save for the RedHawks at 11:04 in the half, when she made a sprawling save on a Louisville penalty shot that kept Miami within one goal.

"Marie has been kept under pressure by opposing offenses all season but has played very soundly through it all," Fesperman said. "She kept us competitive in a number of games this season, and today was no exception."

Despite the efforts of Miami's defense, Louisville was able to break the game open early in the second half, scoring just 1:07 into the second half on a back-handed flip from Pip Sanders. From there, the wheels fell off, as Louisville tallied goals by Joanie Frame and Keri Beckhorn to put the contest out of reach. The Cardinals outshot Miami 29-3 on the afternoon while recording a 16-1 edge in penalty corners.

The loss brought an end to the careers of Miami seniors Beth Young (Toledo, Ohio/Maumee Valley C.D.), Karen Preikszas (Medfield, Mass./Medfield), Cheryl Iozzi (Kettering, Ohio/Kettering) and Vaughn. According to Fesperman, the efforts by the senior class have been important to the program.

"The seniors have put forth a valiant effort for the past four years," Fesperman said. "This season we were just overwhelmed. That shouldn't take away from what these seniors have meant to this program."

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