McGovern, O'Connell Lead Soccer to 2-1 Win
CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Powered by goals from Erin McGovern and Cortney O’Connell, the Miami Hurricanes soccer team opened its fall slate with a 2-1 exhibition over USF at Cobb Stadium.
The two teams opted for three 30-minute periods in the scrimmage, with Miami jumping out to an early 2-0 lead after the first session. USF struck back with a goal in the third period, but a strong defensive performance helped key the hosts’ victory.
“We focused on a few things both attacking-wise and defensively. We didn’t want to throw a ton at them, especially in our first game,” Monroe said. “I thought they did well, especially in the first 45 minutes. I think they got a little tired, and we saw some things we need to improve on, but overall I’m excited about the performance.”
Miami’s starting backline consisted of centerbacks Shannon McCarthy and Nicole Mahin with Maddie Simms and Gracie Lachowecki on the flanks. Senior Emily Lillard started and played the first two periods in net for the Hurricanes before giving way to freshman Phallon Tullis-Joyce.
“I thought we did pretty well. We kept possession for the most part coming out of the back. We struggled at times, but coach addressed some things with us coming out of the second period,” Simms said. “Overall I thought we did well playing out of the back.”
McGovern, paired with sophomore Gianna Dal Pozzo as a holding midfielder, cracked a 20-yard shot into the upper left corner just seven minutes in to put the Hurricanes ahead early. The veteran midfielder, who ranked third on the team in goals as a junior, said the sequence leading up to the goal was crucial.
“I saw it going up the right side so I decided to lay off a little and stay towards the left,” McGovern said. “We got the ball up the field nicely, Cortney got a nice ball to the top right of the box and she played a beautiful ball to me. I had to make sure I put on a nice strike.”
O’Connell, who served as one of three starting forwards, showed pace in the early going, and got off a shot from distance in the 19th minute. But after missing her first attempt, O’Connell doubled Miami’s lead on a pinpoint lob from McGovern that split the Bulls defense.
After receiving the ball, the Virginia native made a quick move past Bulls keeper Thordis Aikman and slotted the ball calmly into the far corner, giving Miami a 2-0 advantage.
The ball from McGovern was exactly the type of pass Monroe and her staff has been working on in preseason training.
“I think we need to be a bit more confident playing more direct balls, playing some balls over the backline for our forwards to run on to – they’re ready and prepared for those balls,” Monroe said. “I want to get our backs and our center midfielders hitting a 40-yard ball constantly throughout the game.”
The start of the second period saw just one shift in the lineup, as transfer Natalie Moik moved to the backline in place of Lachowecki and sophomore Emily Auld entered in Moik’s position. The first two Miami subs of the afternoon came when Grace Rapp entered for Veronica Johnson and Amy Schmidt entered for O’Connell.
After a scoreless second period, USF struck for a goal in the third period, as a perfect strike from Bulls forward Jessica Clark from roughly 20 yards out made its way a diving Tullis-Joyce in the 64th minute. Miami’s defense would hold firm, however, protecting the Hurricanes lead and helping send the team to a 2-1 victory.
McGovern said that winning any match, including its exhibitions against USF and UNF, is key to building steam heading into the season.
“It’s really important,” McGovern said. “We’re in the middle of changing this program around, and I think we want to build as much momentum as we can at the start of the season to try and get this team off on the right foot, and just continue it throughout the season.”
Miami will travel to play UNF in an exhibition on Aug. 15 before opening its season against Florida in Gainesville, Fla., on Aug. 22.
