No. 11 Gators Top Miami 2-1 in Double OT
Aug. 20, 2010
GAINESVILLE, Fla. –
The University of Miami soccer team (0-1-0, 0-0 ACC) fell to the 11th-ranked University of Florida Gators (1-0-0, 0-0 SEC), 2-1 in double-overtime Friday evening in front of a crowd of 1,932 at James G. Pressley Stadium in the season-opener for both teams.
Each squad scored early in the second half. The Gators took the lead just 3:06 into the period when McKensie Barney scored on sliding kick as Vikki Alonzo charged in an attempt to clear the ball.
Miami responded at 52:36 on a great individual effort from freshman Blake Stockton. The Linwood, N.J. native stole the ball from a UF defender deep in the Florida end. A quick touch kept the ball away from the charging keeper and then blasted a shot into the back right corner of the net with a strong left-footed shot.
Earlier in the week, it was announced that the Hurricanes would team-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 game remained locked at one goal apiece for nearly 54 minutes, before Florida’s Taylor Travis took a one-touch pass from Holly King and shot the ball from just seven yards away. Alonzo charged and got a hand on it, but it wasn’t enough as the ball hit the back left corner of the net – ending the contest.
“This hurts, but there is no chance it will keep us down,” said head coach Tricia Taliaferro. “We played well and I am proud of our performance. There is a huge difference from last season and I’m excited for the next game and believe 100 percent in our team.”
In the later stages of the first half, the Hurricanes controlled the tempo and narrowly missed on a pair of scoring chances. Sophomore Kate Howarth fed a streaking Brittney Steinbruch down the right sideline. Steinbruch then unleashed a giant right-footed shot that was cleared over the net by UF keeper Katie Fraine.
With just four minutes remaining in the first, Brittney Macdonald lobbed a long pass through the middle of the field to Howarth, who in full stride, shot the ball low – inches wide of the left post.
The opener was the first on the road since 2007. It was also the last time the ‘Canes played two overtimes in the season’s first contest – a 1-1 tie at Ole Miss.
Miami remains on the road when it returns to the pitch, facing the Stetson Hatters on Sunday, Aug. 22 at 1 p.m. in DeLand, Fla.
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