No. 8 Gators Slip Past Hurricanes, 1-0

Record Crowd of 2,277 Attend Season-Opener

August 21, 2009

CORAL GABLES – The University of Miami women’s soccer team (0-1-0) fell to No. 8 Florida (1-0-0) Friday evening at Cobb Stadium, 1-0 in both teams season-opener. The only difference in the contest was an early second-half goal from the visiting Gators, in front of a Miami record-shattering crowd of 2,277 spectators. It was an exciting game that went back and forth and both teams had lots of opportunities.

Florida’s Ashlee Elliott tallied the game’s only goal as she headed Tricia Townsend’s long entry pass over the outstretched hands of the charging Miami keeper, Vikki Alonzo, in only the third minute of the second half.

“It was amazing. Tricia was coming down the line and we made eye contact. She sent an amazing ball, the most perfect ball I could ever ask for,” Elliott said. “I jumped over the defender and headed it right in.”

The Gators opened the game with a scoring chance in the third minute when Elliott had a seemingly open goal, but Alonzo jumped out to deflect the ball out of play.

On consecutive possessions, the Hurricanes had opportunities to score but shots by Paulette Ricks-Chambers and Brittany Steinbruch rolled just wide in the seventh and ninth minutes of the game respectively.

The rest of the first half was played with each team struggling to maintain possession. The best opportunity for either team came in the 43rd minute when UF’s Brooke Thigpen headed a long cross that Alonzo kick-saved to keep the match scoreless heading into the break.

At the half both teams had recorded seven shots, with the Gators holding a 3-1 advantage in shots on goal.

Miami generated more opportunities in the second half. In the 63rd minute, Steinbruch jumped on a missed clearance by the Gators and found herself one-on-one with the Florida keeper, her shot sailed just right of the post and the ‘Canes remained scoreless. UM was awarded a 22-yard free kick in the 89th minute when Elliott was whistled for a hand ball. The shot by Ricks-Chambers was saved by UF’s Katie Fraine at the far post corner. Another shot by Cassidy Banks in the 90th minute was again stopped by Fraine.

For the match, Fraine turned in five saves. UM's Alonzo made five saves on the evening, all of which were crucial in keeping the ‘Canes in the match.

 In all, the ‘Canes held a 15-13 advantage in shots, as each team put six on goal.

In her first game being completely healthy in over nine months, Brittney Steinbruch recorded a total of four shots for the Hurricanes, with three coming painstakingly close to hitting the back of the net.

“We have never had a crowd like we had tonight, it was awesome to play in that atmosphere,” said Steinbruch. “I wish some of those shots went in, but I’m going to watch the tape and I’m going to learn from those.”

Elliott thought the intensity of the match was upped by the in-state rivalry.

“It was a tough match. Miami came out and played us real tough. It is a Florida rivalry. They brought it so we had to bring it right back,” Elliott said. “The crowd was amazing. There were a lot of Gator fans as well as Miami fans. It was a good match and I think everyone enjoyed it.”

“I’m very proud of this team, obviously we are disappointed in the missed opportunities,” said UM head coach Tricia Taliaferro. “But overall, our ability to play forward and defend well was good to see. You just need to capitalize on opportunities when you are playing one of the top teams in the country.”

Junior Lauren Singer fired two shots on goal late in the match and had four shots total in the game. She was joined by seniors Paulellete Ricks-Chambers and Jessica Wyble as ‘Canes that also recorded more than one shot.

Six freshmen appeared in Florida’s lineup Friday, including starts by Erika Tymrak and Kathryn Williamson. Florida’s head coach Becky Burleigh thought Friday’s opener was a good chance to test her young Gator team.

“Winning on the road is always challenging. I thought we could have been more composed, so that is something we’ll be working on in practice,” Burleigh said. “We have to give credit to Miami for keeping the pressure on throughout the match. Opening the season on the road with a win against a quality opponent is a good start.”

The Hurricanes will now prepare for their next game, which is Tuesday, Aug. 25 against Florida Gulf Coast. Gametime is set for 7:30 p.m. at Cobb Stadium with tickets on sale at hurricanesports.com or by calling 1-800-GO-CANES at $3 for children and $5 for adults.

Florida opens its home season at the James G. Pressly Stadium with pair of in-state rivals – Florida International on Friday, Aug. 28 at 7 p.m. and USF on Sunday, Aug. 30 at 1 p.m. Both matches can be heard live on WRUF AM 850 with Adam Schick and Matthew Stubbington covering the action.