Barrage of penalty corners helps push Miami Ohio past Bellarmine field hockey

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Bellarmine field hockey went step-for-step early with Miami Ohio on Friday afternoon, but the defending MAC champion Redhawks pulled away for a 3-1 conference victory.

Following a fast-paced and scoreless first quarter with little-to-no stoppages, the Redhawks (6-3, 2-0 MAC) struck in the second quarter.  On one of many penalty corners for Miami Ohio, Paula Peña Martinez powered in the first goal of the game less than a minute into the second period. 

The Knights answered, however, just five minutes later.  Amber Hofenk Jerembo located a rebound and pounded the ball into the cage to even the match 1-1.  Bellarmine was holding strong against a high-powered Miami offense until the end of the half when the Redhawk wave of penalty corners took full effect.  In the final three minutes of the second period, Miami Ohio racked up seven penalty corners and 10 shots. 

The Knights survived it all with stout defense and strong saves from goalkeeper Danni Swallow, but the Redhawks’ persistence finally paid off.  With no time left on the clock, Miami Ohio had a chance to complete its penalty corner and Katherine Groff found Macy McHale on a cross who scored the go-ahead goal.  That gave the Redhawks a 2-1 advantage heading into the break.

The third period featured more of the same, with Miami Ohio totaling seven penalty corners.  Peña Martinez scored her second goal halfway through the third period, marking her team-best eighth goal of the season.  With Miami up 3-1, Bellarmine was unable to generate enough offense the rest of the way to come back.

Overall, Miami Ohio out-shot Bellarmine 24-4 (13-2 SOG), and totaled 17 penalty corners.  Despite not scoring, reigning MAC Offensive Player of the Year Claudia Negrete Garcia racked up 14 shots and seven shots on goal for the Redhawks.

Along with Hofenk Jerembo, Julia Doornebos and Anna Crump each tallied shots for the Knights.  Danni Swallow played the first three quarters in goal for Bellarmine and made eight saves – several coming in rapid-fire fashion.  Kailey Workman collected two saves playing the final quarter for BU.

Bellarmine has the next week off before a pair of home matches versus Longwood on Oct. 1 and Queens on Oct. 2.

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