Final Stats
OXFORD, OH - The University of Toledo women's team lost a shootout, 4-3, to Miami (4-5-1, 3-3-0 MAC) in Mid-American Conference action Friday afternoon at Miami Soccer Field. Miami's Ashley Swinehart and Kathleen Vistica each scored two goals to snap the Rockets' three-game win streak and lead the RedHawks to the victory.
"This was an unusual match," Toledo Head Coach Brad Evans said. "Miami came out from the start and was the more prepared team mentally. We scored first and had a good chance to go up 2-0, but overall they were the sharper team. I give our kids a lot of credit, though, because they kept into the game and never gave up. It seemed like every time we had an advantage, Miami answered our challenge. It was mental today. We weren't as sharp as we have been the last couple of games, but you have to credit Miami because they took advantage of their opportunities."
Vistica scored the game-winner in the 70th minute, approximately 80 seconds after Toledo knotted the score at 3-3. Miami's Tricia Gill set up the play with a free kick she sent into the box from 30 yards out. Vistica's first attempt at a shot was unsuccessful, but she sent her second attempt past Rocket redshirt freshman goalkeeper Jen Whipple for the game-winner.
Toledo (5-6-0, 3-3-0 MAC) began the scoring in the 10th minute, when senior co-captain Melissa Lesage took a pass from sophomore Kelly Langenbeck and beat a Miami defender to get her shot on Miami goalkeeper Megan Ortner. Ortner was off her line to stop the attempt, and was beaten far post for Lesage's team-leading seventh goal of the season.
With Toledo clinging to a 1-0 lead for 22 minutes, Vistica and Swinehart scored goals 57 seconds apart, in the 32nd and 33rd minutes, to give the Miami a 2-1 halftime advantage. Vistica scored the game's equalizer, taking a Katie Boyd pass and finding the back of the net past Whipple. Swinehart's tally followed shortly after when she connected with Laura Freel from just outside the six-yard box.
Lesage and Langenbeck hooked up again to tie the game at 2-2 shortly after halftime. In the 49th minute, the Rockets took advantage of confusion in front of the Miami net, when Lesage fed Langenbeck for her first goal of the season.
Swinehart scored her second goal of the game, putting the RedHawks up 3-2 in the 52nd minute. Brittney Brinkworth sent a ball far post, where Swinehart took the ball and beat Whipple among a pair of defenders.
The score was tied for the third time, this time at 3-3, in the 69th minute, when UT junior Robin Davidson added an unassisted goal for Toledo.
The RedHawks held the offensive edge in the highly-physical match. Miami edged the Rockets in both shots, 13-9, and corner kicks, 6-0. The game was marred by 35 total fouls, with 21 being called on Miami.
Toledo's next match is Sunday, when the Midnight Blue and Gold travel to Muncie, IN to battle Ball State. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m.
