OXFORD, Ohio – Bronwyn Boswell netted a first half brace on Sunday afternoon, and that would prove enough for the University of Evansville women's soccer team as the Purple Aces picked up a 2-0 victory over Miami (Ohio) at Miami Soccer Field.
"We had a little bit of a formation change, and I think we were able to create better chances today," UE head coach Krista McKendree said. "From our perspective though, a game like this is all about heart. A Sunday match on the road after a hard game on Friday is difficult, especially against Miami, which is a team that always battles. You have to come out in a match like this with a lot of intensity and effort, and I think the girls did a great job."
With the win, the Aces moved to 1-1 on the year, and Miami fell to 0-2.
UE wasted little time in getting things started, thanks in large part to Boswell drawing a foul on the left side of the 18-yard box in the ninth minute. The senior out of Frisco, Texas, would also walk to the penalty spot moments later and slot it home for the opening goal of the season for the Purple Aces.
Montana Portenier, who had an effort saved a few minutes later, would play a major role in the match's second score. After Sara Osinski played the Canadian junior into space, Portenier saw her shot saved by Miami goalkeeper Vic Maniaci. However, Boswell was there to mop it up for her second score of the contest.
"Montana and I had a lot of really good combination play between us today," Boswell said. "She's really good at turning people. I can really trust her, and she had a great ball in. I think she's going to get a goal soon too. She had a lot of good combination play with Nicki Baham as well. We played great today. I'm excited."
Boswell, a preseason All-Missouri Valley honoree, entered the day with 14 career goals. Sunday marked the third double of her career and the first since 2014.
The Aces would continue to serve as the main aggressors in the first 20 minutes of the second half as well, ultimately finishing the day with 14 shots, including an impressive 11 that were steered on target.
"I think we all had good energy and a lot of positivity today," Boswell said. "It would've been so easy to come out with the wrong mindset after losing Friday. It was important for us to learn from that and come out here and turn things around."
Miami started to string together chances late in the game, but were only able to put five of their 15 attempts on target. Whitney Biggs finished the day with five saves, recording her first clean sheet of the season in the process.
The Aces will return to action in next Friday's home opener at Arad McCutchan Stadium. Cincinnati will pay a visit to town, and kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.
NOTES: The Aces are 18-9-2 overall against Ohio schools, including a 3-2 record versus Miami … UE beat MU last season 2-1 at Arad McCutchan Stadium … Sunday marked the second away meeting in the series' history. UE dropped the first 3-2 in 2010 … Bronwyn Boswell last scored twice in a contest on Oct. 15, 2014, against Indiana State.
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