Soccer Falls in PKs to UCF in NCAA Opener
ORLANDO – The Miami Hurricanes ended their postseasoncampaign in heartbreaking fashion Saturday night, dropping their Women’s SoccerChampionship opener to homestanding No. 18 UCF in penalty kicks.
After both teams converted their first three opportunitiesfrom the spot, Knights’ senior Nicolette Radovcic’s shot snuck its way pastMiami goalkeeper Emily Lillard in the fourth round. Miami freshman AllyAndreini struck the ball well, but her attempt hit off the crossbar, giving UCFa late advantage. Next to the line, Knights’ freshman Allie Gerry slotted her shot past Lillard, sending her team into the second round.
“Although it goes down as a tie, it is tough to swallow not to be moving on,” head coach Tom Anagnost said. “I am so proud of this group. I have never had a team overcome so much adversity in one season.”
It was UCF who opened the game with an early chance.Knights’ forward Nicolette Radovcic snuck past the Miami (9-7-4) defense andmade her way in for a threatening scoring opportunity in the fifth minute. Lillard was up to the challenge, however, holding herground and calmly stopping the senior’s effort for the first save of the night.
Miami would build momentum of its own in the early stages ofthe first half, as a frantic 11th-minute scramble in the Knights’box produced a shot that deflected off the near post. Senior Kim Hutchinson’seffort 20 yards out then required a diving stop from Knights’ keeper LianneMaldonado, continuing a strong offensive surge for the Hurricanes.
Miami would eventually break through in the 20thminute, as a beautiful sequence from the team’s offense culminated in a goalfrom Andreini. Fellow freshman Shannon McCarthy’s strong throw-in reached theoutskirts of the box and was headed on by senior Kate Howarth. Andreini,positioned deep in the box, finished a header of her own past Maldonado to takea 1-0 advantage.
The goal was the first allowed by the Knights (17-4-2) sincean Oct. 12 match-up against Colorado College, ending the Knights’ streak ofseven consecutive shutouts. It was Andreini’s first goal since an Aug. 24 tallyin a 4-0 win at home over Morehead State.
UCF would respond with a surge of its own, as some offensivepressure resulted in a corner kick in the 32nd minute. Back-to-backshots from UCF’s Tishia Jewell sailed high and wide, however, as Miami enteredthe half sporting a 1-0 advantage.
The Hurricanes and Knights traded possession for most of thesecond half. Howarth’s chances in the 75th minute nearly sealed awin for Miami, but Maldonado made two dramatic stops to preserve the 1-0deficit.
“We played a lot better in this game and created so manydangerous opportunities,” Anagnost added. “Unfortunately, we left too many chances out there.”
The hosts pulled equal in the final stages of the game toforce overtime. Ashley Nicol’s diving header finished off a pretty sequence inthe 84th minute, as Lillard’s effort was not enough to maintain thelead.
The Knights built pressure in the extra period,but Lillard maintained her composure. A breakaway chance was defended well bythe Canes in the 95th minute, while another opportunity was shothigh by Radovcic less than a minute later. After a quiet second overtime frame,the two teams entered penalty kicks, where UCF prevailed.
“I have never had a team overcome so much adversityin one season,” Anagnost said. “I think this game showedhow much we improved over the season.”
The disappointing finale also represented the final collegiate game for the team’s inspiring senior class, comprised of Ali Brennan, Kate Howarth, Kim Hutchinson and Jordan Roseboro.
“My heart breaks for these four seniors,” Anagnost said. “They have been through so much and have reallymade a long lasting imprint on this program.”
