Hurricanes Prepare for Tough Slate at Hoosier Classic

Hurricanes Prepare for Tough Slate at Hoosier Classic

Sept. 8, 2005

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami women’s soccer team will head to Bloomington, Ind. this weekend for a pair of matches against host Indiana and 14th-ranked Marquette on Yeagley Field at Armstrong Stadium.

Coming off an impressive outing at the Miami Tournament last weekend that included a 3-0 upset over 14th-ranked Princeton, the Hurricanes (3-1) take to the Hoosier State to face Indiana (1-2-1) Friday evening at 7 p.m. (EST) and Marquette (2-2-1) on Sunday morning at 11 a.m. (EST).

Head coach Tricia Taliaferro and the Hurricanes are led by talented corps of newcomers including freshman midfielders Bryn Heinicke, Rachael Rigamat and Meghan McKinsey. Heinicke tops the UM roster in both points (8) and goals (3) and is tied with McKinsey and redshirt sophomore forward Rebecca Tweneboah – a transfer from Notre Dame – for the team lead in assists (2).

Rigamat was an instrumental part in Miami’s win over Princeton, scoring a pair of goals against the Tigers, a feat that helped her earn SoccerFLA.com Player of the Week honors.

Behind the play of senior Ashley Durkee, junior Kristen Chapman, sophomore Akilah Moore and freshman Nikki Stecich, the Hurricanes’ defensive efforts have limited scoring opportunities for opponents this season, helping Miami out-shoot teams by an average of 17.0-to-10.2. Junior keeper Lauren McAdam has posted two shutouts on the season and has allowed just one goal in three games.

Indiana enters the weekend coming off their first win of the season last weekend, downing Iowa State 1-0 on the road. The lone goal against the Cyclones marked IU’s first goal of the season, however, the Hoosiers have also held opponents in check, posting two shutouts on the year.

Friday’s game will mark the second meeting between the Hurricanes and Hoosiers. IU came away with a 1-0 overtime victory in the previous meeting in UM’s season opener in Boca Raton, Fla. in 2003.

The Hurricanes come back to Armstrong Stadium Sunday morning to face 14th-ranked Marquette in what will be UM’s second game against a top-15 team in seven days.

The Golden Eagles, who are on a school-record season-opening five-game unbeaten streak, have allowed just two goals on the season while posting three shutouts in five games, including a scoreless tie against Wisconsin-Milwaukee Wednesday night.

Miami’s match-up with Marquette will be the first meeting between the two schools.

Fans can follow both games live on the web with live scoring at the Official Website of Hurricane Athletics, www.hurricanesports.com.