Despite Delay, Miami Soccer Downs Stetson
Sept. 21, 2007
Coral Gables, Fla. – The Hurricanes didn’t let a two hour and 25 minute lightening delay dampen their spirits, as the University of Miami women’s soccer team defeated Stetson, 2-1, on a rainy Friday evening at Cobb Stadium. In a match that took over four hours from start to finish, the Hurricanes (4-2-2) picked up their second-straight win at home and improved to 6-1-0 all-time versus the Hatters.
“I’m pleased overall,” said Miami head coach Tricia Taliaferro. “It was a difficult game to play with the rain and then the time delay. But I’m very proud that we were able to come out and keep our intensity up – and actually create more shots in the second half.
“I think it’s good momentum heading into ACC play on Thursday.”
Miami controlled the ball for most of the game, taking 18 shots – 10 more than Stetson (2-3-1), who managed just three after the delay.
The Hurricanes wasted little time getting on the board, as freshman Brittney Steinbruch (Wyckoff, N.J.) sent a high pass across the box to freshman Lauren Singer (Mt. Sinai) who headed it into the goal in the sixth minute for her sixth goal of the season. It was Steinbruch’s first assist as a Hurricane.
In the 19th minute, senior goalkeeper Lauren McAdam (Simsbury, Conn.) cleared the ball and sent it into play for the `Canes. Junior Rachael Rigamat (La Crescenta, Calif.) passed it to Steinbruch at midfield, who then dribbled down the field and shot from 25 yards out into the right side of the net to put Miami up 2-0.
With her ninth goal of the season, Steinbruch – who entered the week ranked fourth in the NCAA in goals per game (1.167) and 10th in points per game (2.33), moves into a four-way tie for fourth place in UM single-season goals and is tied for ninth in single-season points with 19 in just her eighth game for the Hurricanes.
Miami was in control of the ball throughout much of the opening period, however Stetson managed two shots on goal – including a goal in the 42nd minute. Stetson’s Bethany Kiedis crossed the ball into the box, and Jessica Spencer knocked it down and shot it into the top right corner of the net to register her second goal of the season and send the teams into the break with a 2-1 Miami lead.
Just minutes into halftime the lightening appeared and the game was suspended for over two hours. Both teams returned to the field energized once play could resume, and the Hurricanes put together several strong scoring opportunities – including a pair of Steinbruch shots in the final six minutes that sailed just wide of the goal.
McAdam picked up the win in goal for the Hurricanes, grabbing two saves on the long evening, while Stetson’s Andrea Garavaglia also finished with a pair of saves.
Miami opens its ACC schedule at home on Thurs., Sept. 27, with a match versus N.C. State at 7 p.m., followed by a bout versus perennial powerhouse North Carolina on Sun., Sept. 30, at 1 p.m.
