Soccer Battles Cardinals to 1-1 Draw
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami women’s soccer team earned its first point in conference play Sunday afternoon, fighting its way to a 1-1 draw with visiting Louisville at Cobb Stadium.
Miami, which dropped a close 1-0 decision to Syracuse on Thursday night in the opener of a four-match homestand, battled to earn a point against a talented Cardinals side.
“Our team fought and did some good things today, but it’s always disappointing not to get the three points at home,” head coach Mary-Frances Monroe said.
In sweltering conditions, Miami had the first opportunity of the match on a through pass from freshman Grace Rapp that freed Ashley Flinn in the fourth minute. On her way to a strike, the senior endured a timely challenge from a Louisville defender in the box to prevent a scoring opportunity.
Senior Emily Lillard helped Miami avoid an early deficit in the 27th minute, recovering nicely on a shot from the fringes of the box and diving on a loose ball near the goal line to keep the score locked at 0-0 by halftime.
Senior defender Maddie Simms pressed forward in the 62nd minute and ripped a shot from 18 yards that Louisville’s goalkeeper Paige Brown handled with some difficulty.
The Hurricanes jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the 74th minute, converting on a prime free kick opportunity. With just under 20 minutes remaining in regulation, junior Natalie Moik lined up over a dangerous dead ball from outside the 18-yard box.
The German midfielder powered a kick towards the wall, which took a deflection off junior Ally Andreini and redirected past Brown and into the back of the net, giving Miami a 1-0 lead.
“Natalie hit a dangerous free kick and Ally did her job,” Monroe said of the goal. “It always gives you a boost when you can get a goal in these conditions.”
Louisville forced overtime with a goal in the 85th minute on a scramble near the goalmouth. Some miscommunication in the box allowed Cardinals’ Alison Price to finish off the scrum with a shot into the back corner of the net, beating Lillard and setting the stage for the extra sessions.
Miami had the better opportunities in the extra periods, including a terrific pass from junior Jasmine Paterson to find a streaking Grace Rapp towards the box in the first session. Louisville’s defense recovered in time, however, clearing the opportunity in the 95th minute and keeping the score knotted at 1-1.
10 minutes later and halfway through the second of two 10-minute overtimes, freshman Ronnie Johnson nearly sent the Hurricanes (2-8-1) to triumph via sudden victory goal. After an impressive individual display, the Ontario, Can., native ripped a shot past Brown that grazed off the crossbar.
Another chance on a roller near the box was nearly converted, but Louisville held on to earn its share of the decision.
“We put the effort in overtime and were very dangerous, hitting the cross bar and beating their backs,” Monroe said. “We played a very dangerous ball in the box and it was unfortunate that we could not connect.”
Miami will return to Cobb Stadium on Sat., Oct. 4 for the third of a four-match homestand against visiting Florida State. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m., and admission is free.
