Nov. 7, 2002
REDHAWKS TO FACE EMOTIONALLY CHARGED FALCONS: In a Mid-American Conference women's soccer tournament that has been marred by the tragic passing of Bowling Green freshman Leslie Dawley, top-seeded Miami hosts fourth-seeded Bowling Green, Friday at 2 p.m. in MAC semifinal action.
The Falcons beat Buffalo on Wednesday in double overtime, 2-1, on freshman Julie Trundle's penalty kick. The RedHawks defeated the eighth-seeded Central Michigan Chippewas, 5-1, with a hat trick from senior Andrea Cunningham.
Earlier this season, the RedHawks defeated Bowling Green, 3-0, at Cochrane Field in Bowling Green, Ohio. The shutout victory was the first shutout and first victory for freshman Leigh Terry. Senior Danielle Berkemeier scored two first half goals for the Red and White and sophomore Megan Shapiro made the final score 3-0 with her second-half goal.
Miami has dominated the Falcons in the past, owning a 7-0 all-time mark. The RedHawks and Falcons have faced each other one time in the MAC tournament, when the RedHawks earned the victory, 1-0 in double overtime for the 2000 championship.
Second-seeded Ball State will face third-seeded Ohio in the morning game of the semifinal round in Oxford. Ball State defeated Western Michigan, 3-1, in Muncie, Ind. on Tuesday to advance. Ohio knocked out Eastern Michigan by the score of 1-0 in Athens in the Tuesday afternoon quarterfinal.
CREATURES OF HABIT: The Miami soccer team has found a trend they would like to continue. The RedHawks have gone 7-1-1 during each of the past two months while eclipsing many Miami and MAC records. If the RedHawks were to roll off seven wins in November before a loss, that would put Miami in the NCAA Final Four.
'HAWKS IN THE TOURNEY: The RedHawks, who are appearing in the tournament for the fourth time in as many years, have never been defeated in MAC Tournament play, boasting a 9-0-1 record. Last season, Miami defeated Buffalo, Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan on the way to its second MAC Tournament title and NCAA berth. In 2000, Miami took out Ohio, Buffalo and Bowling Green for its first crown.
DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS: Without question, the key to Miami's success in MAC Tournament play has been its defense. Through ten tournament games, Miami has given up only four goals and boasts a remarkable 0.39 goals against average. Miami blanked the opposition in five consecutive MAC postseason matches between the 1999 championship game and 2001 MAC quarterfinal. Over the past three tournaments, Miami has placed four defenders and a goalkeeper on the MAC all-tournament team.
ON THE OFFENSIVE: Although the Miami defense has been exceptional, the RedHawk offense has risen to the occasion during MAC tournament play also. The RedHawk offense has outscored their MAC tournament opponents 26-4 over the last four years. Senior forward Danielle Berkemeier has been named to the all-tournament team the past two seasons and senior forward Andrea Cunningham earned all-tournament team honors during her freshman year. Senior midfielder Katie Milligan is the second RedHawk who has been on the all-tournament team during the past two MAC tournaments.
MAC RECORDS: In Mid-American Conference history, no team had won 11 conference games until Miami defeated Marshall on Oct. 27. Miami's 11 wins broke the 2001 Ohio Bobcat record for most conference wins in a season. Ohio went 10-2 during its 2001 season. The RedHawk's .917 conference winning percentage is the highest in MAC history at the completion of the conference season. With the win over Marshall, the RedHawks tied the 1997 Northern Illinois squad, 1998 Ohio and Northern Illinois squads, and the 1999 Eastern Michigan squad with only one loss at the end of the conference season. None of the four teams accumulated 10 wins because the league did not have 13 MAC women's soccer schools until last season.
MISS OCTOBER/NOVEMBER: Typically known for her play in November, senior forward Danielle Berkemeier got an early start this year by scoring in seven of the nine Miami games played in October. Berkemeier scored eight goals total in the month of October.
Berkemeier still hasn't given up her title of Miss November either. Through 13 post-season games over the past four seasons, Berkemeier has netted 12 goals, including a remarkable seven game-winning strikes.
The senior forward leads the team with 15 goals and 35 points this season.
FINAL RECORD: Not only did Miami set MAC records with its 11-1-0 conference mark, the RedHawks also set Miami program marks. Until this year, Miami's best MAC finish came when it finished 8-3-0 in the MAC during the 1999 season. Last year, the RedHawks went 8-3-1 through the MAC season. The Red and White also eclipsed the 15-3-0 mark set in 1999 for the best record in Miami history at the end of the season with a 15-2-2 record. Before last Friday's game, Miami stood a half-game behind the 1999 start when the 1999 team opened the season with a 14-2-0 record through 16 games.
HOME SWEET HOME: Miami has proven the definition of home-field advantage by going 30-6-3 at home since the beginning of 1999. Miami has posted a 38-16-4 record in its six-year history. The Red and White holds a 8-1-2 record at Miami Soccer Field during the 2002 season. The RedHawks excelled at home in 2001 with a 5-2-1 mark. The pinnacle of its home success came in 1999 when Miami went 9-0-0 at Miami Soccer Field.
The Red and White has proven they are good away from Miami Soccer Field as well. Since Sept. 9 of 2001 the RedHawks have posted a 15-3-0 mark away from Oxford.
MOVIN' ON UP: The RedHawks tied their highest rating in school history, seventh place in the Soccerbuzz.com Great Lakes Region rankings this past week. Miami found itself rated ninth in the NSCAA Great Lakes Region poll for the second consecutive week.
This is the second time in school history that the RedHawks have been rated in three consecutive Great Lakes Region polls. Miami was receiving votes two weeks prior to their ranking, making it the first time the RedHawks had their name on five consecutive polls.
Miami ended the season last year with seventh place in the Soccerbuzz.com Great Lakes Region rankings.
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