`Canes Take Down Virginia Tech on Senior Night
Oct. 21, 2010
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami women’s soccer team defeated Virginia Tech 2-0 in a key Atlantic Coast Conference matchup Thursday night at Cobb Stadium.
The Hurricanes (10-5-1, 4-3 ACC) used goals in each half to dispatch the Hokies (8-7-1, 2-4-1 ACC) in an important game for both squads.
In the 39th minute, freshman Kelley Griffin was fouled inside the box and the Hurricanes were awarded their first penalty kick of the season.
There was no doubt that the Brittney Steinbruch would take the kick and the school’s all-time leading scorer didn’t disappoint. The senior blistered a right-footed shot into the left side of the net – scoring her eighth goal of the season.
“It was just a matter of sticking to our game plan, everyone was playing great, so it was going to come,” said Steinbruch. “It really didn’t matter who scored, just the fact that we got one.”
Miami added to its lead in the 60th minute, when Jordan Roseboro found a loose ball and fired it into the right side from 25 yards out.
“Really the most important goal was the one that Jordan scored to put the game away,” added Steinbruch.
Prior to the season, the Hurricanes teamed-up with UM alum Kristen Kenney’s MALAIKA FOR LIFE organization in Scoring Goals to Save Lives. The premise of the initiative sees the soccer program donate $10 to the charity for every goal scored throughout the season. The two goals from the `Canes increased this season’s total to $290.
Miami’s 29 goals as a team ranks as the seventh-best total in team history with three regular season games still remaining.
Junior keeper Vikki Alonzo made several difficult saves and six overall for her seventh shutout of the season.
“Anytime you position yourself above .500 in the ACC, that is a national statement,” said head coach Tricia Taliaferro. “This result will help with our confidence heading into the last three games.”
Heading into tonight’s match, Miami and Virginia Tech were the seventh and eighth place teams in the conference. With only eight spots available in the ACC Tournament, the winner gained an inside track to an invitation.
Prior to the match, Katie Oddo, Barbara Blocker, Lauren Singer, Brittney Macdonald, Steinbruch and student athletic trainer Stephanie Arango were honed in a Senior Night ceremony.
The win marks just the fifth time in program history that Miami has won 10 or more games in a season.
On Sunday, the Hurricanes will play host to No. 7 Virginia in Miami’s final home match of the season. Kick-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Cobb Stadium.
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