Soccer Holds No. 19 Hokies to Scoreless Draw
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – TheUniversity of Miami women’s soccer team earned a hard-fought point in its match-upwith No. 19 Virginia Tech Sunday afternoon, taking the Hokies to doubleovertime where the contest finished in a scoreless draw.
Despite outshooting the Hokies 14-7, including a 9-2differential in the second half, Miami was unable to find the back of the net.A strong performance from junior midfielder Tara Scwhitter, who led the teamwith six shots, helped key an offensive attack that forced Tech goalkeeper DayleColpitts into seven saves on the day.
“I was very pleased with the effort and character displayed by our players today,” head coach Tom Anagnost said. “We played hard against a very good team.”
The Hurricanes backline, which received 110-minuteperformances from senior Ali Brennan, junior Blake Stockton and sophomoreMaddie Sims, helped keep the talented Hokies’ offense off the scoreboard.Sophomore Emily Lillard (5-6-2) made four saves over the course of theafternoon, while Miami (7-6-2, 2-4-1 ACC) peppered the opposition but wereunable to convert.
“Clearly there are many areas technically and tactically where we can get better, but when we are fully commited to the cause, we are a tough team,” Anagnost added.
The team got off to a quick start with a shot from freshmanAlly Andreini that sailed high in the second minute. Two saves from Lillard inthe early stages kept the Hokies at bay.
The contest was halted six minutes into the game, when VirginiaTech midfielder Jodie Zelenky suffered a neck injury in an unintentionalcollision. After a lengthy delay, play resumed as the Hurricanes and Hokies continuedto trade early opportunities.
Despite 20 extra minutes, neither team was able to createmuch opportunity and earn a decision after two overtime periods. It was thesecond double-OT draw this season for the Hurricanes, who ended with the sameresult against West Virginia (Sept. 2).
“We created some great chances, and it is very unfortunate we didn’t get the result,” Anagnost said.
Sunday’s game was memorable for both its competitive displayon the pitch as well as a surprise ceremony honoring a former student-athleteat halftime.
Led by University President Donna E. Shalala and InterimDirector of Athletics Blake James, the University of Miami faculty presented a degreeto the mother and fiancé of beloved former soccer player Austen Everett, whopassed away in August after a battle with non-Hodgkins lymphoma.
“Austen was a tremendous representative of our program, andher legacy lives on through her foundation,” James said after the game. “It wasan honor to be able to be a part of today’s ceremony.”
The Hurricanes return to action Thursday, when they take oneight-ranked Maryland in College Park. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
