Taliaferro Impressed With UM's Progress In Spring Workouts
March 28, 2005
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – With less than a month left in the University of Miami women’s soccer’s spring workouts, head coach Tricia Taliaferro and the Hurricanes have made tremendous strides in preparations for their second season in the tradition-rich Atlantic Coast Conference.
Last season, on a team that included 17 underclassmen, including seven true freshmen with just four seniors, the Hurricanes posted an overall record of 3-13-0 against what was ranked the nation’s toughest schedule.
“I have been very pleased with our team’s progress,” said Taliaferro. “This team has worked harder this spring than any other team I have ever coached. We have become stronger, faster and more technical.”
“From top to bottom, we were all obviously disappointed about last season. We decided that their were two options; we could sit and feel sorry for ourselves or we could step up and make the changes necessary to become better and our team has really embraced the attitude of working towards the goals we want to accomplish.
“As a coach, it has been unbelievable the work ethic this team has demonstrated,” Taliaferro added. “It seems as if I’ve almost been able to step back and let them push each other, which is a great thing because it shows maturity.”
With a year of experience and the difficulties of the 2004 season behind them, that maturity has shown through as foundation of the 2005 team has made an enormous effort to become better.
“Our main focus this spring has been working on making sure each player becomes more technical individually,” Taliaferro said. “As we learned last season, the speed of play in the ACC was a bit of a shock to some of our younger players, who were coming straight from a club team to playing in the nation’s best conference. By making sure everyone is more comfortable around the ball, it’s going to help build confidence. When you are more confident individually and as a group, it’s going to make you more successful.”
Individually, a number of players have impressed Taliaferro and the Hurricane coaching staff by assuming a leadership role.
Keeper Lauren McAdam has made vast strides in net this spring. |
“A lot of leaders have stepped up,” said Taliaferro. “Akilah Moore has been doing extremely well as a freshman. Kristen Chapman and Chelsea Garner have been doing well and Ashley Durkee has been absolutely fantastic as both a leader and with her performance on the field. Lindsay Curtin is also someone who really looks more confident and stronger.”
“Lauren McAdam has looked really good this spring. Alex Alford missed some time this spring, but now she’s back so it’s good to have her and McAdam competing as goalkeepers. Lindsey Yach has done very well from the fall until now. She seems to have regained her confidence and really seems to be enjoying the game,” Taliaferro added.
Throughout the spring the Hurricanes have competed in a number of controlled scrimmages in addition to a one-day seven-on-seven six-team tournament.
“I’ve really seen our team’s confidence level along with the ability to maintain a certain intensity level increase in the scrimmages,” said Taliaferro. “In situations where we have been down or even tied in games, we have been able to step up and win those games. Obviously, we don’t want to put ourselves in that situation, but I think that shows confidence and it looks like everything we have put together is working.”
Overall, Taliaferro and the UM soccer program appear to have made tremendous strides in the right direction this spring.
“As a team, the attitude level is what impresses me the most. They all seem to have a desire to improve and are working hard. I’m very pleased with our progress.”
UM will hold one final scrimmage Saturday, April 9 at Cobb Stadium before hosting the first annual KICKS Against Breast Cancer Tournament Saturday, April 16 at the Sunrise Hilton.
