Canes to Host No. 9 Florida in Season-Opener on Friday
Aug. 18, 2011
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami women’s soccer team will open its 2011 season under first-year head coach Tom Anagnost against the ninth-ranked Florida Gators at home on Friday. First kick is set for 7 p.m. at Cobb Stadium.
The match will mark the third consecutive season that the Hurricanes have opened their season against their intrastate rivals. The Gators were the victors in each of those contests, winning 2-1 in double-overtime in Gainesville last season and 1-0 in Coral Gables two seasons ago.
The 2009 contest proved to be the most-attended match in the history of Cobb Stadium as 2,277 spectators witnessed the two rivals on the pitch. Friday evening’s crowd is expected to challenge that record.
Anagnost took over the Miami program in December and has a solid mix of veterans and newcomers that are looking to make a splash against in-state opponents as well as Atlantic Coast Conference play.
Goalkeeper Vikki Alonzo enters her senior season as the program’s all-time leader in shutouts with 24 – 10 more than the next closest keeper.
On offense, junior Kate Howarth is the team’s leading returning goal scorer. The Grand Blanc, Mich. native score four early-season goals before a leg injury cut her sophomore campaign short.
Fellow junior forward Jordan Roseboro will also be looked up to as a scoring threat. She finished the 2010 season with three goals and along with the rest of the offense, will be relied upon to fill the void left by the graduated Brittney Steinbuch – the program’s all-time leading scorer.
The Gators come into Coral Gables as the Southeastern Conference preseason favorites to win the league crown. UF has won the SEC title each of the last five seasons.
The visitors will be led by senior Tahnai Annis and junior Kathryn Williamson. Annis finished the 2010 season with 33 points and 13 goals, while Williamson was named a second-team All-American and the SEC’s Defensive Player of the Year.
It should be of note that these two teams met in a spring scrimmage in Sunrise, Fla. in March. Without their newcomers, the Canes and Gators battled to a 1-1 draw.
Tickets are available by calling 1-800-GO-CANES or by visiting hurricanesports.com, and are $5 for adults and $3 for children.
The University of Miami is also excited to offer a new season ticket package that will include two (2) adult and (3) youth tickets to all home volleyball and soccer events in the 2011 season. The Family plan provides a family of five with over 20 events for the incredible price of $50. To purchase a Volleyball and Soccer Family Plan call 1-800-Go Canes or buy online.
Fans not able to attend may still follow the action by clicking here for the GameTracker link.
