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Nov. 11, 2001
Stats
ATHENS, Ohio-In what is becoming a common theme, Miami University's women's soccer team capped another brilliant Mid-American Conference Tournament run Sunday afternoon at Ohio University's Shafer Street Field, defeating Central Michigan University 3-1 for its second straight MAC Tournament Title.
With the win, Miami advanced its all-time MAC Tournament record to a still flawless 8-0-1 while tying down its second consecutive NCAA Tournament Bid. Miami's first-round opponent will be announced this Monday during the NCAA's selection show. First-round NCAA Tournament action is scheduled to kick off this Friday at the campus sites of the higher seeds.
Miami controlled much of the first-half action but was unable to score until an explosive three-minute span in the second half. Danielle Altiero (Upper Arlington, Ohio/Upper Arlington) put Miami on the board at 35:53 with a remarkable unassisted goal. With a CMU defender between her and the goalkeeper, Altiero lofted a pass to herself over the Chippewa defender that she was able to run down and fire past CMU goalkeeper Kari Alexander for the score.
Riding high on the momentum of its first score, Miami was quick to capitalize with another strike just 2:35 later. In a scenario that has been carried out many times before junior Andrea Cunningham (Cincinnati, Ohio/McAuley) swung a perfect pass to junior Danielle Berkemeier (Fairfield, Ohio/Fairfield), who was able to finish almost unchallenged into the far corner of the net.
Central Michigan was able to regain its balance in the second frame, keeping the ball pinned in Miami territory for much of the half. It paid off at 67:25, when Erica Peterson executed a flip throw from the near sideline that slipped through the hands of Miami goalkeeper Katie Karlander (Carmel, Ind./Syracuse) before being directed into the net by Emilie Villemonte.
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With the Chippewas threatening to tie the score, a wild back and forth battle ensued, with the RedHawks weathering six CMU corner kicks and a number of dangerous throw-ins. Berkemeier was finally able to put the game back in Miami's control at 81:43. Following a flip throw-in by Ashley Swinehart (Worthington, Ohio/Worthington), Berkemeier was able put her foot on a ball in traffic and send the RedHawks to the MAC Tournament title. The multiple-goal game was the second consecutive for Berkemeier, who totaled five goals for the Tournament.
Following the match, four Miami players were honored with MAC All-Tournament recognition. Among those recognized were Berkemeier, junior defender Katie Mach and junior midfielders Shaedyn Cousino (Cincinnati, Ohio/Indian Hill) and Katie Milligan (Strongsville, Ohio/Strongsville).
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