Miami's Late Rally Turns Away West Virginia
Sept. 10, 2010
CORAL GABLES –
Two Miami goals in the game’s final eight minutes, completed a dramatic, 2-1 come-from-behind victory over the West Virginia Mountaineers (2-3-0, 0-0 BIG EAST) on the opening night of the 2010 Hurricane Cup, Friday at Cobb Stadium.
For over 70 minutes, Miami (3-2-1, 0-0 ACC) and West Virginia were locked in a stalemate, with both teams making unsuccessful runs into their opponent’s territory.
However, in the 74th minute, Blake Miller fired a remarkable right-footed shot from a difficult angle, finding the back of the net and giving the visitors a late 1-0 lead. It was the only shot on goal allowed by the Hurricane defense in the second half.
With time on the Mountaineers’ side, the ‘Canes refused to give up and in the 83rd minute, Miami got its equalizer. After a WVU foul, Ali Brennan was awarded a free kick from 30 yards out on the left sideline. The sophomore lofted a perfect pass into the center of the box, Ashlee Burt broke away from the pack and headed the ball over the outstretched hands of the leaping keeper.
“Starting in January, we began to work on our mentality,” said head coach Tricia Taliaferro. “We started to work on what we needed to do to get over the hump and how to overcome adversity.”
Miami did more than just overcoming a deficit, because less than five minutes later Brittney Steinbruch completed the dramatic comeback, slicing through the defense and blasting a strong right foot past the charging keeper.
“Ali and Burt got our play going, because after that goal we were pumped-up all over again,” said Steinbruch. “We were playing great the whole night and we just needed a chance to finish it.”
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 goals from Burt and Steinbruch increased this season’s total to $150.
Last season, Miami scored only 20 goals over 19 games. After only seven matches this season, UM has tallied 15 from 10 different goal scorers – with Steinbruch leading the way with four.
In the day’s first match, FAU (0-5-0, 0-0 A-Sun) scored a second-half goal – taking its first lead of the season, but North Dakota State 3-0-2, 0-0 Horizon) responded with two goals for the 2-1 victory.
FAU will face-off against West Virginia Sunday at 11:30 a.m., with Miami closing out with North Dakota State at 1:30 p.m.
To view the 2010 Hurricane Cup website, click here.
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