Miami takes Hurricane Cup Title with Shutout Win
Sept. 12, 2010
CORAL GABLES –
In the final game of the 2010 Hurricane Cup the University of Miami women’s soccer team (5-2-1, 0-0 ACC) pushed its win streak to three with a 1-0 victory over the North Dakota State Bison (3-1-2, 0-0 Summit), claiming the title Sunday afternoon at Cobb Stadium.
The Hurricanes didn’t take long to get on the board, as sophomore Kate Howarth scored the match’s only goal in the seventh minute. The Grand Blanc, Mich. native took a pass from Fatima Nasser at the top of the box and after one touch, turned a fired a shot into the top left corner of the net.
The goal was the fourth of the season for Howarth, tying her with Brittney Steinbruch for the team lead.
Steinbruch, with her game winner against the Mountaineers on Friday was named the classic’s Offensive MVP. Steinbruch led all players with 15 shots on the weekend.
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 goal from Howarth increased this season’s total to $160.
Last season, Miami scored only 20 goals over 19 games. After only eight games this season the offense has been more consistent and UM has tallied 16 from 10 different goal scorers.
“Consistency from all the players has helped our offense this season,” said Taliaferro. “We know what we’re going to get, so we are able to get into more of a rhythm and that has helped us.”
The defense, as it has been all season, was stout behind senior leader Brittney Macdonald. Vikki Alonzo was only needed to make two second-half saves – her third shutout of the season.
For her efforts in the wins over West Virginia and North Dakota State, Macdonald was the named the Hurricane Cup MVP.
“Its an honor to be recognized as the MVP,” said Macdonald. “Our communication has been getting better on defense and our unit is really coming together right now.”
Sunday’s match was delayed early in the first half due to lighting for an hour and six minutes.
The `Canes, undefeated at home this season, will host Fordham in the last non-conference game of the season at Cobb Stadium, Friday, Sept. 17 at 7:30 p.m.
You can follow all University of Miami teams on Twitter by visiting http://api.twitter.com/hurricanesports or follow just women’s soccer at http://twitter.com/canessoccer . Visit hurricanesport.com and Miami Hurricanes Soccer on facebook to get all the up-to-date news and information on the women’s soccer team.
