Soccer Set for Showdown with No. 2 Seminoles
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The Hurricanes have been here before.
Facing a Florida State team with just one loss on the season and ranked among the top sides in the nation – the very top, in fact – Miami scored a dramatic win in the match’s closing stages for a signature win just two seasons ago.
Ashley Flinn’s 89th-minute goal in rain-soaked conditions sent the Hurricanes to that memorable victory at Cobb Stadium in 2012.
In 2013 – head coach Mary-Frances Monroe’s first season at the helm – Flinn once again served as the hero, as Miami handed then-No. 2 Notre Dame just its second loss of the season behind two goals from the Hurricanes’ top striker at Cobb.
Miami will look to replicate those magical performances Saturday when it continues a four-match homestand with a showdown against Florida State. The Seminoles, ranked No. 2 nationwide, boast a 10-1-0 overall record and a 3-0-0 mark in ACC play.
Given the Hurricanes’ run of success against nationally-ranked opposition, don’t expect Miami to play intimidated.
Facing a talented Louisville side last time out at Cobb Stadium, Miami fought its way to a draw through two sudden victory overtime periods, earning its first point of the ACC season. Junior Ally Andreini netted her first goal of the season in the decision.
The team’s recent performance against the Cardinals continued a trend. Perhaps Miami’s best performance of the season came in a challenging environment at the University of Portland during nonconference play, when 2,644 came to watch the preseason-ranked Pilots eventually capture a 2-1 win.
Miami also strung together an impressive come-from-behind effort on the road at then-No. 2 Virginia.
Expect more of the same Saturday when the Seminoles arrive to Coral Gables.
FSU features a veteran attacking trio of Berglind Thorvaldsdottir (seven goals, one assist) and Marta Bakowska-Mathews (six goals, three assist) and Dagny Brynjarsdottir (seven goals) that has posed problems for ACC defenders.
Miami’s veteran backline has its work cut out for them, but the team’s experienced quartet – including team captains Shannon McCarthy and Maddie Simms – has turned in impressive efforts through Miami’s first 11 matches. The unit, which also features sophomore pairing Gracie Lachowecki and Gianna Dal Pozzo, has served as one of the most reliable for Monroe and her coaching staff.
Kickoff for Saturday’s game is set for 7 p.m. A live stream will be available through Canes All-Access ($), while live stats will be available via Miami.StatBroadcast.com. For in-game updates, make sure to follow @CanesFutbol on Twitter.
