Miami Defeats No. 19 Wake Forest on Senior Day
Oct. 26, 2008
CORAL GABLES – The University of Miami women’s soccer team (9-6-3, 2-4-2) scored right before the half and then played tough defense to hold on for the much needed 1-0 ACC victory over the No. 19 Wake Forest Demon Decons (10-6-0, 3-5-0).
Sophomore defender Brittany Macdonald used all of her height as she headed in Lauren Singer’s corner kick in the 43rd minute. The 5-11 Macdonald rushed to the near post and got her head on the ball, beating the goalie to her right, into the middle of the net. The goal was her second of the season. Singer picked up her team-leading fifth assist on the play as well.
“It was good work by our forwards to get the corner,” said Macdonald. “Singer just had a great driven ball to the post. We had been practicing the short corners and it finally paid off.”
The defense was huge for the Hurricanes in the second half. They never stopped their aggressive play despite being whistled for 15 second-half fouls. Wake Forest was called for only two fouls after the break.
The defensive play of the game came with 12:26 left in regulation. The Demon Deacons, Jill Hutchinson fired a shot to the left side of the goal, forcing freshman keeper Vikki Alonzo to dive to her right. Alonzo, fully extended grabbed the ball, not allowing a rebound. The Carrollton, Texas native made four saves and now has 10 shutouts on the season, once again extending her school record.
“We are a very blue collar defense,” said, head coach Tricia Taliaferro. “We play with a lot of heart and a lot of passion, we aren’t going to give up anything easy.”
The final home game of the season saw three senior players and three student assistants honored with a pre-game ceremony. Rachael Rigamat, Corynn Cariono and Jordon Ross wrapped up their careers at Cobb Stadium. Former players now student assistants Sammy Sanderson, Nikki Stecich and Bryn Heinicke, who suffered career-ending injuries, were also recognized.
Miami returns to the pitch on Thursday, Oct. 30, when they travel to NC State to take on the Wolf Pack at 7 p.m.
