@CanesFutbol Opens Homestand With Syracuse
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – After a three-match road swing that included a trip to the Nike Portland Invitational and the team’s ACC opener at No. 2 Virginia, the Miami Hurricanes return to Cobb Stadium for the beginning of a four-match homestand this weekend.
Beginning with Thursday night’s matchup against Syracuse, Miami will play four matches over the next 15 days, all against ACC foes and all at home.
Head coach Mary-Frances Monroe feels confident that the team’s recent string of tough opponents has prepared them for the homestand, which opens with matchups with the Orange (Sept. 24) and Louisville (Sept. 28).
No. 5 Florida State (Oct. 4) and No. 3 Virginia Tech (Oct. 9) arrive the following week.
“Having a challenging schedule early on in the season has prepared us for the remainder of our conference games,” Monroe said. “We have to continue to be sharp and do the small things right.”
Each of Miami’s last three games – including matchups with Portland and Washington, as well as the team’s recent trip to Charlottesville – have been played in front of hostile crowds of over 2,000 fans. The challenging atmosphere – coupled with particularly strong showings against Portland and Virginia – has Monroe’s Hurricanes feeling confident.
And with only one home match remaining in its regular season schedule after this homestand comes to a conclusion on Oct. 9, Miami will look to return to the win column against Syracuse (3-4-3).
“It’s great to be back home, especially for the next two games,” Monroe said. “We had a good week of training leading up in tomorrow’s game against the Orange.”
Miami had an inspiring showing against unbeaten Virginia last Saturday. Down 2-0 against a premier side, the first career goal from junior transfer Natalie Moik halved the deficit and gave Miami a chance to complete an improbable comeback.
The Hurricanes had a similar performance against Portland – ranked in the top 25 in the TopDrawerSoccer preseason poll – giving the coaching staff confidence they can start earning results in a conference considered among the toughest in the country.
Miami has two opportunities this weekend, with matchups against the Orange (7 p.m.) and Louisville (1 p.m.).
“We know what we need to execute to find success and I am excited for us to take the field,” Monroe said.
A live video stream of both matches will be available through Canes All-Access ($), while HurricaneSports.com will offer live stats updates. For more information, follow @CanesFutbol on Twitter or LIKE Miami Soccer on Facebook.
