Soccer Falls 5-3 To Central Florida
Oct. 25, 2002
Coral Gables, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) – The University of Miami soccer team fell 5-3 to Central Florida in its final home match of the season on Friday night at Cobb Stadium.
The Hurricanes fall to 9-7-1 on the season, while the Knights improve their 2002 record to 14-4-0.
Central Florida opened the scoring, 1-0, at the 3:55 mark on an unassisted goal by Nicole Cieslak.
However, Hurricanes’ leading scorer Britney Butcher answered with her 15th and 16th goals of the season to give the Hurricanes a 2-1 lead. On the first goal, sophomore midfielder Anik Huffman found Butcher streaking through the middle, who touched it past goalkeeper Jessica Kuhlman on the left side. Senior forward Allison McWhinney assisted on the second goal, finding Butcher spliting the Knight defense and again beating Kuhlman to the left corner.
The Knights tied the game, 2-2, in the 19th minute of play when Allison Blagriff knocked one past goalkeeper Rachel Elsby on a drop pass from Jennifer Montgomery.
Central Florida took the lead at the 27:29 mark on an unassisted goal from Montgomery, giving the Knights a 3-2 halftime lead.
Early in the second half, Cieslak recorded her second goal of the game continuing Central Florida’s offensive run with their third consecutive goal and a taking a 4-2 advantage. Montgomery recorded her second assist of the game on the play.
Miami cut the lead, 4-3, three minutes later when Allison McWhinney faked a shot on a free kick, feeding a wide open Mary Luke from 20 yards away beating Kuhlman to the left corner.
However, the Knights retook a two-goal lead on an unassisted goal by Allison Blagriff who beat substitute freshman goalkeeper Jessica Keller, giving Central Florida the 5-3 victory.
Despite the loss, Miami outshot Central Florida 23 to 20. Both teams recorded ten of their shots on goal.
With her two goals, Butcher became the Hurricanes all-time career leader in goals with 24 goals, surpassing Allison McWhinney with 22.
Before the match, Hurricane graduating seniors Lisa Gomez, Ashley West, Laura West, Rachel Elsby, Samantha Hernandez and Allison McWhinney were honored in the middle of the field as they were greeted by family and friends with flowers.
The Hurricanes play their final regular season match facing Florida Atlantic on Monday, October 28 at 7 p.m. in Boca Raton, Fla.
