Nov. 18, 2001
MORGANTOWN, W.Va.-The magic ran out for Miami University's women's soccer team Sunday afternoon, as an impressive postseason run that had carried the RedHawks to the second round of the NCAA Tournament ended in a 2-0 loss to the University of Dayton, which won its 15th consecutive match and advanced to the NCAA's Sweet 16.
Set up by an unusual chain of events, Dayton took the lead just 1:22 into the match. After a Megan McKnight cross kick passed dangerously through the goal area and was apparently cleared by a Miami defender, play was stopped when the near-side line judge ruled that Miami goalkeeper Katie Karlander (Carmel, Ind./Syracuse) had made contact with the ball while standing behind the goal line. McKnight was credited with the unassisted score while Dayton seized the momentum.
After withstanding a five-minute flurry of Dayton attacks, the RedHawks managed to regain their balance and controlled a good portion of the action over the next 30 minutes. Restricted by a seasoned Dayton defense that has given up just seven goals in its last 15 contests, however, Miami was able to squeeze off just two shots while meriting one corner kick. Dayton, meanwhile, was able to up its lead at 41:16 when a McKnight free kick was headed into the night by Erin Showalter.
Miami refused to surrender in the second half, but a swarming Dayton defense that always seemed to be in the right place made the going difficult. Despite challenging the Flyer "D" with several runs, Miami was never able to penetrate far enough to create a serious scoring threat.
With the loss, Miami concluded its season at 15-7-1, amassing the second-highest single-season win total in program history. The RedHawks had advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time last Friday by shocking No. 19 West Virginia 1-0.
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