Aug. 28, 2011
Box Score
Site: Oxford, Ohio (Miami Turf Field)
Score: Northwestern 4, Miami (Ohio) 0
Records: NU (2-0, 0-0 Big Ten), Miami (Ohio) (0-2, 0-0 MAC)
Next NU Event: Friday, Sept. 2 vs. VCU Evanston, Ill. 2 p.m. CT
OXFORD, Ohio -- On the strength of one goal in each half by Chelsea Armstrong and a second straight shutout to open the season, Northwestern downed Miami (Ohio), 4-0, Sunday at the Miami Turf Field in Oxford. Amrstrong's fourth and fifth goals of the season were coupled with goals by senior Regan Mooney and sophomore Nikki Parsley that put the RedHawks away down the stretch.
The 2011 Wildcats are the first NU field hockey squad to open a season with back-to-back shutouts since 1989.
"Our defense stepped up again today and we were able to execute well on penalty corners," said head coach Tracey Fuchs, who has NU off to a 2-0 start for the second time in her three years at the helm. "Chelsea and several other players helped us control the ball in the midfield and that really put the pace of the game in our favor. We're looking forward to our home opener next weekend."
The victory, which came on the heels of a 4-0 blanking of Kent State on Friday, gives Northwestern wins over both of last year's regular-season MAC co-champions.
As was the case Friday, Armstrong put Northwestern on the board early on with a penalty corner strike just shy of 12 minutes into the contest.
Junior goalkeeper Amanda Wirth took over in the cage after freshman Maddy Carpenter notched the shutout two days ago against the Golden Flashes. After several early chances for the RedHawks, Wirth and the Wildcats defense snuffed out the Miami offense after that as NU dictated possession and took a 1-0 lead into intermission.
NU also held a 1-0 lead at the break the last time these teams met in 2010 before needing a late goal in the second half to escape with a 2-1 victory in Evanston.
Northwestern made sure there would be no drama on Sunday, continuing to control the run of play in the opening 10 minutes of the second half and breaking through with a goal with 22 minutes remaining in the game. Armstrong got on the other end of a hit toward the cage by Mooney and deflected it past Miami goalkeeper Sarah Mueller for the third goal of her career.
With the tally, Armstrong reached 51 career goals -- tied for third-most all-time at Northwestern -- in just 41 career games played.
Mooney wasn't finished, however, adding to her assist by breaking the game open when she came free with possession and dribbled Mueller near the top of the arc, slotting her shot home for the 12th goal of her career.
Just over five minutes later, Parsley completed the scoring with her second goal of the season. Armstrong's initial shot off the corner was deflected wide of the post, where fifth-year senior Megan Jamieson set up a wide-open Parsley on the left wing for the goal.
The Wildcats earned a total of 13 penalty corners on the afternoon compared with the RedHawks' four. Armstrong led NU with her 12 shots, six of which found their way on cage. At the other end of the pitch, Wirth finished with two saves on the afternoon.
Northwestern will bring its 2-0 record back to Evanston for its home opener next weekend, facing VCU at 2 p.m. Friday at Lakeside Field. Two days later, NU welcomes Albany for a 1 p.m. tilt. All field hockey games at Lakeside Field offer free admission and parking for all fans.
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