Hurricanes Shutout Cross-Town Rival FIU 2-0, Off to 5-0 Start
Sept. 6, 2006
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Highlighted by sophomore midfielder Paulelette Ricks-Chambers’ eventual game winning goal in the third minute, Miami upended cross-town rival FIU 2-0 Wednesday night to improve to 5-0-0 tying the UM record for the best start to a season.
Ricks-Chambers, who has now scored three goals in the last two games, netted the first goal of the evening just two minutes and 42 second into the match, heading in a deflected cross from teammate Bryn Heinicke.
The win over the Golden Panthers (0-4-0) extends Miami’s season-opening run to five matches, tying the school record streak set in 2001.
“Tying the school record is a great accomplishment,” said head coach Tricia Taliaferro, “but being 5-0 is a long way from reaching the goals we’ve set for this season. I think we are improving each game and we just have to stay focused. The most important thing is that we have been successful so far without reaching what I feel is our full potential.”
Following the Ricks-Chambers goal, the Hurricanes and Golden Panthers pushed back and forth recording three and six shots, respectively, without another score over the remainder of the half.
Miami stepped up the tempo in the second half, out-shooting FIU by a total of 10-to-2. The Hurricanes’ pressure eventually led to their second goal of the night, credited to Rebecca Tweneboah in the 65th minute.
Turning on the counter attack, Tweneboah took a feed down the left side of the field from Danielle Griebel, dribbled in and fired off a shot from the top of the box that found its way past FIU keeper Madeline Gannon.
“Tempo wasn’t something we directly addressed as a team,” Taliaferro said. “And it was a mixed blessing. On one hand I was impressed and really felt like we were organized and created opportunities, but some of it came too fast. We were a little too quick on the last pass and miss some scoring chances.”
Miami outshot FIU by a total of 14-to-8 on the night and, behind keeper Lauren McAdam’s four saves, recorded their third shutout of the season.
The Hurricanes will look to improve to a school-record 6-0-0 Friday night, traveling to Boca Raton to take on in-state rival Florida Atlantic at 7 p.m.
