Bowling Green State University Athletics
Miami Beats Falcons, 3-0
September 20, 2002 | Women's Soccer
Sept. 20, 2002
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - Danielle Berkemeier's two goals in the early going proved to be more than enough for Miami University, as the visiting RedHawks posted a 3-0 victory over the Bowling Green State University women's soccer team at a rainy Cochrane Field Friday (Sept. 20).
The RedHawks remain undefeated in Mid-American Conference play, with a 3-0 league record. Miami is now 5-1-1 overall. BGSU falls to 3-3-1 overall and 1-1 in MAC action.
Berkemeier got the two-time defending MAC Tournament champions on the board at the 11:17 mark, taking a cross from fellow senior Andrea Cunningham and redirecting it toward the Falcon goal. The wet ball squirted through the hands of BGSU senior goalkeeper Erika Flanders, giving the visitors the lead. Cunningham drew the lone assist on the play.
Berkemeier's second goal, like her first, came off of a right-side cross. This time, Ashley Swinehart's cross was redirected into the net. That goal, at 19:59, completed the first-half scoring.
Miami's final goal came off the boot of Meghan Shapiro. Shapiro, who would have had a one-on-one opportunity, found herself all alone when a Falcon defender slipped on the wet grass. She converted her breakaway attempt at the 65:29 mark to complete the scoring.
MU outshot BGSU by an 18-8 margin, and the RedHawks had a 10-1 advantage in the shots-on-goal department. Miami 'keeper Leigh Terry was called upon to make just one save en route to the shutout. Flanders made seven stops for the hosts.
"The most encouraging thing was that we turned the game around," said BGSU coach Andy Richards. "I think it coincided with the introduction of some fresh legs.
"Sometimes, it's a game of two halves. Today, it was a half of two halves. The first 10 minutes was kind of a feeling-out process, and then they had a great 10 minutes. Then, we had a great 25 minutes, but unfortunately just couldn't score in that time.
"It's bittersweet. We're encouraged by some things, and we recognize that we were playing the best team in the conference. But we didn't play well at times. In the Missouri game, we lost, but we played well. Today, we didn't play well for the entire match.
"(Miami coach Bobby) Kramig said after the game that the score wasn't really a fair result, that we have a good team and will do very well. We didn't fold our tents (after falling behind), as has happened at times in the past. But, also, we didn't win the game, and we want to win.
"I thought the introduction of Katie Piening and Leslie Dawley into the lineup was the catalyst for the turnaround. They really brought a lot of intensity, pressure and desire into the game. I was very proud of the effort of the two. Having said that, we got some tireless performances from a lot of people.
"Thanks to the fans who braved the elements to watch the game. Hopefully, they'll come back on Sunday to help cheer us on against a tough Ball State team.
"I'm confident in this team. I think they've got a lot of talent and desire. If we can just tap into that a little deeper, I think we can do some good things."
The Falcons will return to action with a Sunday (Sept. 22) match vs. visiting Ball State University. That MAC contest is scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m. at Cochrane Field.
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