Soccer Opens Season with 1-1 Tie at Ole Miss
Aug. 31, 2007
Oxford, Miss. – After 110 minutes and two overtime periods, the University of Miami women’s soccer team recorded its first season-opening draw in program history, playing to a 1-1 tie versus Ole Miss in Oxford, Miss., on Friday evening.
“Overall, I’m pleased with the team and the contribution that our players made,” said sixth-year head Miami coach Tricia Taliaferro, who improved to 4-1-1 in season openers with the Hurricanes. “We created a lot of scoring opportunities and improved as the game continued. But we have some things we will continue to work on.
“Opening on the road versus a high-caliber SEC opponent… I’m happy with the result.”
The Hurricanes (0-0-1) opened the 2007 season with a new look, starting five newcomers – including four true freshmen, among their 11 starters. Freshman Brittney Steinbruch (Wyckoff, N.J.) quickly made her presence known, taking a deflected shot off Ole Miss (0-0-1) junior goalkeeper Megan Vickery and firing in Miami’s first goal of the season in the 16th minute.
Freshman Kyle Kocarek (Naperville, Ill.) made her debut in goal for the `Canes, recording her first collegiate save in the 26th minute. But just two minutes later, the Rebels tied it up as an Ole Miss shot knocked off a Hurricane defender into the net for an own goal.
Steinbruch, who played with the U.S. U-20 Women’s National Team last spring, blasted two more shots on goal before halftime, as Miami edged Ole Miss, 7-6 in shots and 3-2 in shots on goal in the opening half.
The Rebels put some offensive pressure on the Hurricanes early in the second half but were unable to find the back of the net.
Miami junior Sammy Sanderson (Columbus, Ohio) was just off target in the 58th minute, as her shot hit the crossbar. Ole Miss then fought off an offensive barrage by the Hurricanes in the 62nd minute, as the Rebels saved a shot by sophomore Jessica Wyble (Potomac, Md.). Seconds later, Vickory managed to prevent a goal by freshman Brittney Macdonald (Littleton, Colo.), the 2007 Gatorade Colorado Girls’ Soccer Player of the Year.
Steinbruch finished with a game-high eight shots on the evening – including a game-high four shots on goal. Her fifth attempt sailed high as time ran out in regulation and another hit the crossbar in the second overtime.
The Hurricanes came out strong in overtime, recording four shots on goal compared to just one by the Rebels in the second overtime period, but were unable to net the gamewinner. For the game, Miami out-shot Ole Miss, 22-18.
Kocarek finished with six saves on the evening, while Vickery grabbed eight for the Rebels. Miami’s defense kept Ole Miss All-American and two-time All-SEC selection Chrissy Strini to just two shots.
It marked just the eighth tie since Miami opened NCAA soccer competition in 1998.
The Hurricanes return to action on Sunday, Sept. 2, with a noon match versus Alabama A&M (0-1) in Oxford. The Bulldogs were shut out in their season-opener at Oklahoma tonight, 8-0.
