by OXFORD, Ohio — On a picture-perfect September 10th afternoon at Bobby Kramig Field the Miami RedHawks defeated Eastern Kentucky one to nothing. The RedHawks Women’s Soccer team kicked off their 5th home game by enthusiastically distributing apparel and merchandise to their eager home-side bleacher fans. With a season record of three wins, three losses, and a tie for Miami University and one win, four losses, and a tie for Eastern Kentucky University, Miami was the favorite to win in this matchup with EKU.
The Miami team gained control of the ball from the start, initiating the game with two quick head bumps for the RedHawks.
As the RedHawks pressed forward and approached their goal, the coaches of EKU passionately urged their team to assert a greater presence in the midfield.
Miami set the tone with a strong start in the opening 15 minutes , displaying dominance on the field. As the first half neared its end, EKU began to assert itself on the field. Despite their efforts, the first half concluded with a deadlock, as the score remained tied at 0-0, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the second half’s action
As we crossed the threshold into the game’s second half, Eastern Kentucky opened with a promising shot that rattled off the post, signaling their intent to break the deadlock and seize the advantage.
Unfortunately for Eastern Kentuckys Colonels, moments later the RedHawks would secure the lead with the first goal of the game.
In a pivotal moment, senior Haley Anspach (#12) found the back of the net, capitalizing on a precise low cross delivered by Junior Taylor Hamlett (#32), which found its way to the top of the six-yard box. Anspach’s clinical finish showcased her seasoned skills and proved to be the decisive strike that would ultimately seal the victory for her team.
In a post-game interview, Head Coach Courtney Sirmans shared her thoughts, saying, “I’ll give credit to Anspach (#12). She came back strong from an ACL surgery almost a year ago. For her to score a goal, especially knowing some of the players on the other team. We’ve been facing challenges in finding the net, so having one hit the back of it is a reason for all of us to celebrate.”
The Colonels attempted a long-range shot from the centerline but missed, giving their all in the final 2 minutes. A head bump by EKU led to a shot by sophomore Kaitlyn Rowlett (#20), which narrowly missed. The Rehawks maintained a strong defense throughout the last minute. With just 20 seconds left, Miami’s goalkeeper executed a crucial kick, sealing their 1-0 victory as the clock counted down the final 3 seconds.
While conversing with the player who secured the winning goal, I asked her about a pivotal moment in their performance that had a substantial influence on the game.
Senior Anspach responded, “At halftime, we emphasized the importance of playing the entire 90 minutes. In the first half, we demonstrated our ability to perform well in the initial 45 minutes, and I believe that was a critical factor in our ability to close out the game successfully in the second half.”
When Coach Sirmans was asked about the strategies they adjusted or implemented before their opponent scored the goal that led to their victory, she replied, “We didn’t make any adjustments. We knew we were knocking on the door and had created good chances in the first half.” Sirmans continued “It’s about building confidence as the game progresses, and our strategy was rooted in the belief that we are good enough to win this game; we just needed to go out there and execute it.”
In a thrilling match at Bobby Kramig Field, the Miami University RedHawks secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Eastern Kentucky University, with senior Haley Anspach’s clinical finish proving to be the game-changer.
This win further solidifies the RedHawks’ dominance on their home turf, as they remain undefeated in front of their enthusiastic home-side bleacher fans this season. Coach Courtney Sirmans’ strategic emphasis on a full 90-minute performance has propelled the team to success, leaving them eager to build upon their impressive home-field record in the games to come.
