Rigamat Named SoccerFLA.com Player of the Week

Sept. 6, 2005

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Rachael Rigamat of the University of Miami women’s soccer team has been named the SoccerFLA.com Player of the Week for her performance last week which included a two-goal outing in Miami’s 3-0 upset over 14th-ranked Princeton.

Rigamat, a freshman midfielder from La Crescenta, Calif., helped lead the Hurricanes to a pair of wins over the week, downing in-state rival Florida Atlantic in addition to Princeton to claim the title at the 2005 Miami Tournament.

“It was great to score against Princeton, but I think it was more exciting to win over such a great team. They were ranked in the top 20 and we are such a young team, so for me, coming in as a freshman, getting a win over a team like Princeton was the best thing.”

Against the Tigers, Rigamat netted the game-winner for UM in the 64th minute when she fielded a pass from Akilah Moore in the box and spun past a defender to turn and score past Princeton keeper Maren Dale. She added another goal in the 75th minute after fielding a ball at midfield and dribbling in past two Princeton defenders to score.

“Rachael really had a big game against Princeton and I think that shows what kind of player she is and how much potential she has,” said head coach Tricia Taliaferro. “For her to step up and perform the way she did, recognizing how big of a game it was and to not be intimated as a freshman was very impressive.”

The SoccerFLA.com Player of the Week is awarded to the top collegiate player from a Florida school for his or her performance during the previous week.

Rigamat and the Hurricanes will return to action this weekend when they travel to Bloomington, Ind. to take on host Indiana and Marquette at the Hoosier Classic.