Massachusetts Falls 2-1 to Miami (OH) in Double-Overtime MAC Championship Heartbreaker

HARRISONBURG, VA. -- No. 2 Massachusetts (16-4, 8-1 MAC) fell, 2-1, in a hard-fought double-overtime thriller to Miami (15-4, 8-1) on Saturday in the MAC Championship Final.

Lina Kroeger scored Massachusetts' lone goal of the contest, firing in a drag-flick equalizer late in the fourth quarter. The goal marks Kroeger's sixth of the season and first in postseason play.

The Minutewomen held Miami (OH) without a penalty-corner conversion on nine attempts. Overall, Massachusetts conceded just seven shots on goal as Myrte van Herwijnen made five saves.

The RedHawks were led by Lucia Ventos who scored the game-winning goal.

Breaking Down The Action

The first 15 minutes ended in a defensive deadlock at 0-0, as both teams combined for just three shots in the opening quarter.
Massachusetts increased the pressure, holding a 2-1 shot advantage in the second quarter, but could score the game-opening goal heading into the halftime break.
Myrte van Herwijnen made three saves in the first 4:05 of the second half to keep the score level at 0-0.
Malena Sabez got the RedHawks on the board, converting a penalty stroke to make it 1-0 Miami (OH) with 9:42 to play in the third quarter.
Lina Kroeger scored the equalizer for Massachusetts, converting a penalty corner with 4:18 left in regulation.
Both teams drew a penalty corner in the final two minutes of regulation but were unable to net a late goal.
The Minutewomen drew a penalty corner just 1:17 into the first overtime but saw a shot from Elena Clococeanu saved by RedHawks goalkeeper Nicky Sjouken.
Massachusetts denied the RedHawks' first penalty corner in overtime, keeping the score level with 1:07 left in the period.
The first overtime ended with the score still level at 1-1.
The Minutewomen denied a pair of Miami (OH) penalty corners to begin the second overtime period, keeping the score at 0-0 with 7:49 remaining.
Lucia Ventos netted the game-winning to clinch a 2-1 win for Miami (OH) with 4:43 left in the second overtime.

Notable Numbers

0: The Minutemen held Miami (OH) without a single penalty corner goal.
1: Massachusetts played in its first MAC Championship Final.
6: Massachusetts drew 6 penalty corners on the afternoon.
6: Lina Kroeger scored her sixth goal of the season and first of the postseason.
13: The Minutewomen tallied 12 shots in the contest, nine on goal.

Conference Championship History

Massachusetts now holds a 44-19 (.698) overall record in conference tournaments, advancing to the Championship match in four consecutive seasons.
The Minutewomen own a 16-12 (.571) mark in Championship Final matchups all-time.

Series History

With the win, Massachusetts now holds a 2-1-0 record all-time against the Redhawks.
The matchup marked the second meeting between the two programs this season and third all time.

Up Next

Massachusetts will await the NCAA Selection show, which will take place Sunday, Nov. 9 at 10 p.m. Further updates can be found on umassathletics.com or UMassFH on X (Twitter).

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