Hurricanes Fall 2-1 to Virginia Tech
Sept. 28, 2006
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Virginia Tech’s Laurie Beth Puglisi scored a pair of goals, including the game-winner in the 47th minute, to upend Miami 2-1 Thursday night at Cobb Stadium.
Miami sophomore midfielder Bryn Heinicke netted UM’s (6-4-0, 0-3-0 ACC) lone goal against the Hokies (5-4-1, 1-2-0 ACC), scoring from nearly 25 yards out on a free kick in the 41st minute.
In a match that featured numerous scoring chances for both teams the Hurricanes and Hokies combined for 12 shots on goal with each team recording six on the night, but it was Virginia Tech who capitalized for a pair of goals – the first goals allowed at home by UM this season.
“We just need to learn how to push a little harder,” said head coach Tricia Taliaferro of UM’s scoring opportunities. “I think we created better opportunities, but we really have to work on taking care of the details.”
Pulglisi put Virginia Tech on the board first in the 39th minute scoring from the top of the box on a shot from over 25 yards out past UM keeper Lauren McAdam, who finished with three saves.
Heinicke nailed the equalizer just two minutes and 25 seconds later, hitting the near left post on the free kick.
Following a 1-1 tie at the half, Puglisi took advantage of a break in the UM defense on a throw-in by the Hokie’s Julian Johnson. Johnson’s pass made it’s way to the front of the net where Puglisi headed it into the short-side left post past McAdam just two seconds into the 47th minute.
Miami’s Sheuneen Ta and Jessica Wyble nearly tied the game at two-all 12 minutes later when Ta fired off a shot in front of the net that was blocked by a Hokie defender as Virginia Tech keeper Mallory Soldner fell out of position. Wyble knocked down the rebound and got off a shot, but Soldner recovered for the save.
The Hokies held on to the 2-1 victory, handing UM it’s first home loss of the season.
Miami returns to action Sunday hosting eighth-ranked Virginia at Cobb Stadium at 1 p.m.
