No. 19 Miami Falls to No. 2 UCLA 3-0

Sept. 19, 2008

LOS ANGELES – Despite a shuffled lineup due to injuries, the 19th ranked University of Miami (7-2-0) women’s soccer team had their opportunities in a 3-0 loss to the No. 2 UCLA Bruins (6-0-1) at the UCLA Women’s Cup.

UCLA showed their defensive strength in the first half, holding the Hurricanes to only one shot. However, Miami held up to the 15 shots they faced in the opening period, allowing only one goal.

Freshman goal keeper Vikki Alonzo couldn’t get to Christina DiMartino’s long drive in the 40th minute as the Bruins headed into the half with a 1-0 lead.

DiMartino scored a second goal in the 52nd minute, giving the home team a 2-0 advantage.

Miami, suffering from multiple injuries, didn’t have their usual depth to battle the Bruins and gave up one more goal to Kylie Wright in the game’s final minutes.

“UCLA is in a class all by themselves as far as the talent they have,” said head coach Tricia Taliaferro. “Despite all of our injuries, I felt that we had opportunities that we could have taken advantage of.”

In all, UCLA outshot Miami 27-5, and were only forced to make two saves on the night. Sophomore Lauren Singer led the offense with two shots, both on goal, for the Hurricanes.

Alonzo did well in goal as she faced the most shots she has seen all season, on her way to making six saves.

“As a team we learned a few lessons,” added Taliaferro. “We will address them and we will be ready to face a tough team on Sunday.”

Miami will face the No. 25 Toreros of San Diego on Sunday at 2 p.m. EST in the final game of the UCLA Women’s Cup.