Miami Downs Western Carolina in First Day of Hurricane Cup
Sept. 5, 2009
CORAL GABLES – The University of Miami women’s soccer team (3-1-0) used a Paulellete Ricks-Chambers goal in the first half as they shut out the Western Carolina Catamounts (2-1-1) 1-0, Friday night at Cobb Stadium. The start of the inaugural Hurricane Cup was delayed two and a half hours due to reoccurring lightning strikes in the area.
Miami came into the game ranked No. 22 in the latest Top Drawer Soccer poll and 35 minutes into the contest scored the games only goal when senior forward Paulellete Ricks-Chambers notched her first points of the season.
Junior Lauren Singer fed the ball to Brittney Steinbruch on the right side. Steinbruch lofted in a perfect cross that Ricks-Chambers headed home. The assist was the first on the season for Steinbruch and was the second on the year for Singer.
After scoring her first goal of the year, Ricks-Chambers said, “Steinbruch made a great cross and I was able to finish the opportunity.”
The opening half saw the Hurricanes hold an eight to six advantage in shots and a five to one edge in corner kicks. For the match, the `Canes outshot WCU 13-9.
Sophomore keeper Vikki Alonzo made a game-saving bobbling save in the 42nd minute on the Catamounts’ Kellie Oberholtzer. Alonzo also made a diving save in the first half and had a total of three on the night, giving the Carrollton, Texas native her first solo shutout of the season.
“It feels good to get the shutout,” said Alonzo. “The team helped out, we all played as one and we got the shutout.”
Steinbruch led all players with five shots on the evening, while Ricks-Chambers and sophomore Julianne Rickers each had two apiece.
“It was a credit to the team to stay focused after all the delays before the game,” said head coach Tricia Taliaferro. “I also think that our fitness level is starting to get a little better and that helped in limiting their opportunities tonight. Our overall team defending was very good…we were able to smother them everywhere.”
Earlier in the evening, Dayton and Navy battled to a scoreless double-overtime tie.
Miami will face the undefeated (4-0-1) Navy Midshipmen on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. in the final game of the Hurricane Cup. The first match on Sunday will feature Dayton and Western Carolina at 1 p.m.
