Flinn, Paterson Guide Soccer Past NC State
RALEIGH, N.C. — The University of Miami soccer team used late goals from forwards Ashley Flinn and Jasmine Paterson to earn a key 2-0 victory over NC State at Dail Soccer Field.
“I’m so very proud of this team,” head coach Tom Anagnost said. “Tonight they put in a 90-minute performance, and earned a tough, well-deserved victory on the road.”
It was more of the same for Coach Anagnost’s side from the opening whistle, as the Hurricanes (6-4-1, 1-2 ACC) put together another sparkling offensive performance but were unable to convert in the early going. Despite outshooting the Wolfpack 9-2 in the first half, the Canes played the night’s first 45 minutes to a scoreless draw.
With Wolfpack goalkeeper Victoria Hopkins up to ten saves only minutes after halftime, the Hurricanes maintained their offensive pressure in the final third. A shot from junior Jordan Roseboro sailed high in the 53rd minute, and another from freshman Ally Andreini made its way north of the crossbar in the 63rd.
After forcing Hopkins into 13 saves through 80 minutes of work, the Hurricanes finally broke through in the game’s final stages to take the hard-earned decision. Flinn opened the scoring in the 81st, as she broke through the Wolfpack defense and slotted the ball just inside the far corner for her second goal of the season.
Seven minutes later, Paterson put the finishing touches on a crucial conference win for Miami. The freshman took a big through ball on a clearance from sophomore keeper Emily Lillard and dribbled past Hopkins, tapping in an easy goal for the second tally of her career.
Lillard (4-4-1), who made four saves on the night, used late-game heroics to seal her fifth shutout of the season. Another dominant offensive showing from the Hurricanes, who outshot NC State 20-4, was paced by the combination of Flinn and Paterson, who combined for eight shots on goal.
“Defensively we were fantastic and offensively we were very dangerous,” Anagnost added. “This team is capable of scoring, and it was great to see some go in tonight.”
The Hurricanes next travel to Chapel Hill for a Sunday afternoon match-up with No. 13 North Carolina. Kick-off for the Sept. 30 contest is set for 1 p.m. from Fetzer Field.
