RedHawks Kick Off Season with Exhibition Win

Miami tops Wright State in shootout to open 2011 season

OXFORD, Ohio – All four RedHawks scored on their attempts and goalkeeper Allison Norenberg stopped two shots in a penalty kick shootout to lead Miami to a preseason win over Wright State Friday evening at the Miami Soccer Field.

“Allison Norenberg, in the penalty kick shootout made two great saves,” head coach Bobby Kramig said. “Those were brilliant saves.”

The teams played to a 2-2 tie through the three scheduled 30-minute periods before Miami won the decisive shootout, 4-1.

Senior Courtney Clarke put Miami on the scoreboard first in the 12th minute with a shot from the middle of the box into the right side of the net off a corner kick from sophomore Sydney Busch.

Wright State answered back in the 16th minute off a corner kick by Brittany Persaud that bounced around in front of Miami keeper Madison Ryan before being deflected into goal. The Raiders tacked on another goal two minutes later off the foot of Persaud again to go ahead 2-1 in the first period.

Miami responded in the second period when sophomore Morgan Stallard’s corner kick set up freshman Hailey Pleshakov to score the equalizer in the 42nd minute.

“Morgan Stallard played very well,” Kramig said. “She is learning a new position and is coming back from ankle surgery, so I was really pleased with how well she played.”

The RedHawks held a 2-0 shot advantage in the third period, but were unable to score the go-ahead goal, sending the game to a shootout.

“I was impressed by the poise and composure of our players in the shootout,” Kramig said. “All four shots were very well taken.”

Junior Jess Kodiak started the shootout with a successful attempt on a low shot to the right side before Norenberg made a diving save to put Miami up 1-0 after the first round. Both senior Sarah Dessfelt and Wright State’s Adrianna Guerrero scored in the second round to give the RedHawks the 2-1 advantage.

Stallard scored on a hard shot to the left side and Norenberg made another save in the third round to give Miami the commanding 3-1 lead. Finally, redshirt freshman Erin Doone put the game away, converting her attempt to give the RedHawks the 4-1 shootout win.

“I think we were well ahead of where we were last year,” Kramig said. “There are a couple things we need to clean up defensively and we need to finish our offensive chances, but I was pleased with our organization on the field.”

Miami opens its regular season Friday, Aug. 19 at 1 p.m. against Morehead State at home.