Miami takes down IU

A final-second save by Miami of Ohio senior goalkeeper Marie Vaughn gave the Redhawks a 2-1 victory against the Hoosiers in the season opener Sunday at Mellencamp Pavilion.\nIn front of a crowd of 136, the largest crowd in the program's history, the second-year Hoosier program improved on a 9-0 loss last year against the Redhawks.\nNeither team was able to produce many scoring chances in the first period. Sophomore Shallen McClain scored the first goal of the game with little over a minute left in the first stanza, giving the Redhawks a lead they would never surrender. \nIt took 1:13 into the second stanza for Miami to score what would be the game winner. The Redhawks' sophomore Angie Snedden slipped a shot passed junior goalie Molly Pulkrabek for a 2-0 lead. \nThe Hoosiers would score their first goal of the season at the 44:45 mark off a shot by freshman Kayla Bashore past Vaughn.\nHead coach Amy Robertson said she was encouraged with the play of Bashore throughout the game.\n"Freshman Kayla Bashore is like my quarterback on the team. She was very poised and possessed good ball control. She helped greatly with our distribution."\nAfter that goal, the momentum shifted toward the Hoosiers and IU had several scoring opportunities during the last 20 minutes of play, though never capitalizing with a goal.\nWith the clock winding down, the Hoosiers searched for an equalizer. IU created six penalty corners in the second stanza but was unable to put anything in the back of the net. The best chance for the Hoosiers to tie the game came with six minutes left as junior Erica Nilsson fired a shot off the post. \nWith just under 10 seconds to play, IU was awarded a penalty corner and had its last chance to tie the game. Sophomore Lauren Micka had a good look at the goal with just three seconds left but the shot was denied by Vaughn to preserve the Redhawk victory. \nIU tied a school record for the fewest goals allowed in a game with two. Last season Slippery Rock defeated IU 2-0 in the season opener. Senior Brooke Magers said she noticed the changes from this team to that of the inaugural season.\n"Things are very different this year compared to last. We have 11 starters that come out and play hard but we also have a solid six or seven individuals that come off the bench and give us great depth on the field," said Magers. "Everyone here is a dedicated athlete and is here to play field hockey."\nThe Hoosiers used the record crowd to energize them throughout the game.\n"We had great support today from the fans. I think the crowd really helped us at the end, and it really showed the players what Indiana pride is all about," Robertson said.\nIU will make the first road trip of the season this weekend with a visit with Rhode Island Saturday and Holy Cross Sunday. The Hoosiers' next home game will be 3:30 p.m. Sept. 7 against Stanford at the Mellencamp Pavilion.