Women's Soccer Shuts Out FSU in Season Opener

Aug. 29, 1999

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The University of Miami women’s soccer team(1-0) opened up its second-ever season with a 3-0 shutout of Florida State(0-2) at the Seminole Soccer Complex on the FSU campus.

“I am extremely happy to start the season this way,” said MiamiHead Coach Jim Blankenship. “I was very pleased with the way we played.These ladies came out strong and fought off a very talented team. Ourdefense stood out tremendously.”

The Hurricanes, who finished with an 11-7-1 in their inaugural 1998season, now moves to 2-0 all-time against the Seminoles. Last season, UMdefeated FSU 4-2 at Gulliver Prep in Miami.

Miami notched its first goal in the 39th minute when defenderDeidre Bass (Stoneman Douglass) headed in a Jordan Sims corner kick. Sims,in her first year with the Hurricanes, was making a return trip toTallahassee after playing her freshman season with the Seminoles.

“Deidre was very strong in defense,” added Blankenship. “She wasalso able to stir it up on offense as well.”

Following a 1-0 halftime lead, UM came out strong in the secondhalf. Hurricane freshman forward Allison McWhinney tallied her firstcollegiate goal on an unassisted shot in the 54th minute.

UM’s final score came in the 79th minute, when sophomore midfielderMehryn Corrigan sent a hard shot past a lunging FSU goalkeeper SarahCrawford into the upper right corner of the net. Sophomore forward AlexisMacKenzie (St. Thomas Aquinas), who returned to South Florida afterspending her freshman season with the Florida Gators, had the assist on thegoal.

FSU outshot Miami 23-12, but were unable to finish against a stingyMiami defense. UM goalkeeper Rachel Elsby notched 10 saves in the effort.

Miami returns to action Tuesday, August 31 against Long Island at 7p.m. at the new Cob Stadium on the UM campus.