Soccer Travels North to Face Ranked Opponents

CORAL GABLES, Fla. — The University of Miami women’s soccer team will make its final road trip of the regular season this weekend, when it travels to College Park for a match-up with No. 7 Maryland before a Sunday contest at No. 24 Boston College.

Thursday’s 7 p.m. showdown with the Terrapins, who sport an impressive 11-3-2 overall mark, is a crucial one for the Hurricanes (7-6-2, 2-4-1 ACC). Head coach Tom Anagnost‘s side defeated then-No. 16 Maryland 2-1 in last year’s head-to-head contest at Cobb Stadium, a win that helped propel them the team into the NCAA Tournament.

The Terps’ veteran forward duo of junior Hayley Brock (10 goals, six assists) and senior Becky Kaplan (nine goals, four assists) has guided the squad to its current second-place standing in the Atlantic Coast Conference (6-1-1). Maryland is just two points behind first-place Florida State.

The Hurricanes are coming off an impressive draw against No. 22  Virginia Tech on Sunday, Oct. 14. The Canes, who held the talented Hokies’ offense to zero goals through 110 minutes of play, were unable to find the net through two overtime periods despite outshooting the opposition 14-7.

Playing without many of their key offensive contributors, Miami put on an impressive defensive display. Using 110-minute performances from senior Ali Brennan, junior Blake Stockton and sophomore Maddie Simms, the Canes earned their second double-overtime draw of the season.

After Thursday night’s match-up, the Hurricanes travel to Chestnut Hill, Mass. for a conttest against No. 24 Boston College (9-5-2, 3-4 ACC). The Eagles are paced by senior midfielder Kristen Mewis, who ranks second in the ACC with 35 points and 12 goals on the year. Sunday’s match-up is set for 1 p.m.