By Vinny Porco

The eighteenth-ranked U of L field hockey team defeated Miami University 2-1 Friday afternoon in their home opener.

Louisville field hockey walks out to face the Miami University Redhawks in their Aug. 28, 2026 home opener at Trager Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Vinny Porco / The Louisville Cardinal)

Louisville field hockey players get hyped up to face the Miami University Redhawks in their Aug. 28, 2026 home opener at Trager Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Vinny Porco / The Louisville Cardinal)

Senior forward Gigi Edwards attacks Miami University’s goal in Louisville field hockey’s Aug. 28, 2026 home opener against the Miami University Redhawks at Trager Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Vinny Porco / The Louisville Cardinal)

Junior midfielder Megan Mauzy maneuvers attacking Miami players near U of L’s goal in the team’s Aug. 28, 2026 home opener at Trager Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Vinny Porco / The Louisville Cardinal)

Senior forward Gigi Edwards scored the Cardinals’ only goal of regulation 25 minutes in, giving the team a 1-0 lead heading into the half. The Redhawks answered just a few minutes after the break, and the two teams remained tied 1-1 through the end of the fourth quarter.

Senior forward Gigi Edwards celebrates a goal by jumping in the air during Louisville field hockey’s Aug. 28, 2026 home opener against the Miami University Redhawks at Trager Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Vinny Porco / The Louisville Cardinal)

Senior forward Gigi Edwards celebrates a goal with her teammates during Louisville field hockey’s Aug. 28, 2026 home opener against the Miami University Redhawks at Trager Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Vinny Porco / The Louisville Cardinal)

After another 15 minutes of scoreless overtime, the game came down to a shootout. Senior midfielder Aubreigh Uba scored first for the Cards. When Miami matched, senior forward Tyler Everslage converted on a clutch fifth shootout goal.

The U of L field hockey team celebrates a shootout win following senior goalkeeper Emily Young’s game-winning stop at the end of the team’s Aug. 28, 2026 home opener against the Miami University Redhawks at Trager Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Vinny Porco / The Louisville Cardinal)

To seal the deal, goalkeeper Emily Young prevented Miami from scoring on their final attempt, bringing her shootout total to four of five Redhawk attempts shut down.

Louisville field hockey will face the Indiana Hoosiers Sunday, Aug. 30 back at Trager Stadium at 2 p.m.

Feature Photo by Vinny Porco / The Louisville Cardinal