Sept. 19, 2008
OXFORD, Ohio - There are plenty of storylines for this weekend's Miami September Showcase. A pair of 5-1 teams compete on Friday, sibling-rivalries are on display in nearly every game, and childhood teammates face other on a collegiate stage.
"I am very excited for our September Showcase competition," said Miami head coach Jill Reeve. "I think this weekend's matches will provide a true measure of where we are in our team's development."
The RedHawks' development in 2008 includes the program's best start since 1983 when the Red and White started the season at 4-0-2 (.833), at its first 5-1 start since 1982.
Even with the program's best early season play in a quarter century, Reeve explains that the focus lies ahead. The RedHawks have a chance to make a statement nationally.
"Michigan State's program ranks in the top-20 consistently and that's the level we've been working toward. I feel confident in our chances to `make our mark' in the top-20 this season."
Miami will face the No. 10 Spartans with the senior co-captain tandem of Elizabeth Gilroy and Danielle Gaynor, who captained together previously at Scripps Ranch High School in San Diego, Calif. Gilroy is leading the team with four goals and three assists, while Gaynor has three goals and two assists.
Gilroy and Gaynor are two of six RedHawks from The Golden State, creating some intriguing positional match-ups when Miami faces the University of the Pacific, a school located in Stockton, Calif., on Sunday at Noon.
"It's great to have Pacific in town for this weekend's event. They are a tough team with lots of speed up front. I think our two teams will be a terrific match-up," Reeve continued. "Also, it will be fun to play a California-based team as our `Cali-girls' have known and played against these opponents while growing up."
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As fierce as the in-state rivalries may be, some backyard battles will be renewed on Friday and Sunday and could produce some interesting situations.
"Abbey Huck (Miami freshman goalkeeper) will play against her sister, Amanda (Michigan State sophomore forward), on Friday," said Reeve. "Mary Hull (Miami junior forward) will have an opportunity to play against her sister, Hayley (Pacific sophomore forward), on Sunday."
"That will surely put each set of parents in a bind as to whom to be rooting for. It should be a fun and competitive weekend," ended the Miami head coach.
Yesterday afternoon, the Pacific Tigers took on the Indiana Hoosiers to open the September Showcase, with the Hoosiers earning a 4-3, come-from-behind, overtime win. The Tigers are 1-7 on the season after Thursday's tough loss.
The RedHawks will play the Spartans today (Friday) at 3 p.m. Saturday's match-up is the Tigers against the Spartans in a neutral-site match at 1 p.m. Miami will face Pacific to close out the showcase on Sunday at noon. All games take place at the Miami Turf Field in Oxford. Admission is free.
If you cannot make it to the games, you can follow the Miami September Showcase at http://muredhawks.cstv.com/sports/w-fieldh/archive/091708aaa.html, where you can find Gametracker live statistics, post-game statistics, wrap-ups and action photos.
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