Hurricanes Face No. 14 Wake Forest on ESPN3
CORAL GABLES, Fla. — The Miami Hurricanes women’s soccer team opens its Atlantic Coast Conference schedule Thursday with a home match-up against visiting No. 14 Wake Forest. Live coverage of the game is set to begin at 7 p.m. on ESPN3.
The Hurricanes, in the midst of their longest homestand of the season, return to the pitch after a six-day layover. Last time out on Sept. 7, Miami used a dominant second half to take out visiting Idaho 3-0.
Wake Forest, who ended its 2011 campaign as College Cup semifinalists, enter Friday’s contest at Cobb Stadium on a five-game winning streak. The Demon Deacons (6-1-1), who were picked to finish second in the ACC in the conference’s annual preseason poll, are paced up front by junior midfielder Ally Berry (two goals, three assists), junior forward Rachel Nuzzolese (two goals, two assists) and senior midfielder Kristen Meier (two goals, one assist).
The talented Deacons’ offense will be bolstered by the return of junior All-American Katie Stengel, who earned 2011 ACC Offensive Player of the Year honors with totals of 19 goals and 46 points. Stengel returns to the team after helping lead the United States U-20 World Cup team to a first-place finish in Japan.
If the home team hopes to leave the pitch victorious, head coach Tom Anagnost will need another strong defensive performance from his Hurricanes’ backline. With a combination of experienced defenders and an infusion of new goalkeeper talent, Miami (4-2-1) has allowed only four goals in seven matches, and only one in its last five.
“We’re successful defensively only when everyone defends and is willing to defend,” Anagnost said after the team’s last outing. “That’s been something we’ve stressed and coached, and that starts with our forwards.”
After last season’s disappointing 4-1 defeat to the Demon Deacons, Anagnost is looking forward to seeing how his 2012 team responds to the challenge ahead.
“I’m anxious and excited to see how this new group responds, and what their mentality will be once the whistle blows,” Anagnost said. “I believe in our team and have confidence in our team.”
For just $50, secure a ticket to every home Hurricane Soccer and Volleyball match. Season tickets to the home soccer schedule at Cobb Stadium can be purchased for $35, with single match tickets available for as low as $3. Call 1-800-GO-CANES to order your tickets today!
