@CanesFutbol Earns 1-0 Win Over Jacksonville
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami women’s soccer team secured its first win of the season Tuesday night, capturing a 1-0 victory over Jacksonville at Cobb Stadium.
A 49th-minute header from senior Erin McGovern put the hosts ahead early in the second half, and the Hurricanes held on for the win late in the match. Facing a talented Dolphins team that qualified for the NCAA postseason a year ago, Miami put forth its most complete effort of the young season.
The Hurricanes (1-3-0) put together a patient and comprehensive breakdown of JU’s defense, which head coach Mary-Frances Monroe said was Miami’s focus during training leading into the match.
“I’m very proud of this team,” Monroe said. “Anything we throw at them, they truly try to do what we say. All week we’ve done a good job scouting Jacksonville, and we wanted to make sure we took it at them.”
Miami dominated the run of play against the Dolphins from the outset, outshooting the visitors 7-1 in the first half while recording four corner kicks. The Hurricanes forced Dolphins keeper Sarah Sierra into four saves in the first half.
Freshman forward Ronnie Johnson led the way with three first-half shots and ended the night with four.
“We wanted to make sure we got around them, because [Jacksonville] packed it in a little bit,” Monroe said. “Getting end line and services in, we definitely have to do a better job finishing those balls and capitalize on those opportunities, but I’m proud of them for executing the game plan we had in place.”
The Hurricanes wasted little time in the second half, opening the scoring on McGovern’s second tally of the season. Off perfect corner kick service from sophomore Gianna Dal Pozzo, the Oradell, N.J., native cracked a header past Sierra to give Miami a 1-0 advantage.
McGovern tallied her first goal of the season in the team’s 2-1 loss to FGCU.
“Erin came up big in our two scrimmages, and she scored in our last game,” Monroe said. “She came up with a fantastic header on that corner – she’s done a great job for us.”
Even an onslaught of rain wouldn’t stop Miami’s momentum. Senior Ashley Flinn nearly doubled Miami’s advantage in the 73rd minute, but her shot on a clear breakaway went just wide of the outside post.
The Hurricanes recorded a season-high 17 shots and forced Sierra into five saves. Four Hurricanes recorded multiple shots – Johnson, McGovern, defender Maddie Simms and midfielder Natalie Moik.
On the other hand, Jacksonville managed just five shots all night. Senior goalkeeper Emily Lillard made four saves – including a terrific display of reflexes in the 82nd minute on a near-range deflection – in her first clean sheet of the season.
Despite disappointing defeats in its first three matches of the season, Monroe said she has been impressed with the resilience of her team through a challenging nonconference slate.
“I think this team is very committed. We saw them buy into the culture of what we want this program to be about,” Monroe said. “I truly think every time they step on the field they try to do the right things.
“There are times when they’re going to have good games, bad games or make mistakes, and that’s just how they’re going to learn. But I’m very proud of them.”
Miami continues its four-match homestand Friday with Stetson. Kickoff is set for Cobb Stadium at 7 p.m.
