Miami Falls to Top-Ranked Virginia, 3-0
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Welcoming the nation’s top-ranked team, Virginia, to Cobb Stadium Friday night, the University of Miami women’s soccer team was not able to overcome an early goal at the start of both halves, coming up short 3-0.
“The first goal, an error, changed the whole course of the game. The second unlucky, but good teams finish their chances when the opportunity arises.” Barnes said. “…We defended well and I thought we created two of the better chances of the first half, but we need to capitalize when we create those looks. Overall, there are a lot of positives despite the result, but they are the No. 1 team in the country for a reason and great teams exploit errors, and they did that. So, we just have to keep learning and improving.”
Just under two minutes into regulation, Rebecca Jarrett connected with Anna Sumpter, before Diana Ordonez was able to get her head on the ball, following a deflection, to place the Cavaliers (10-0-2, 2-0-2 ACC) in front, 1-0.
For the final 43:05 minutes of the opening half, the Hurricanes (3-5-2, 0-3-1 ACC) played toe-to-toe with Virginia, but were unable to capitalize.
In the eighth minute, junior midfielder Michelle Giamportone found herself in space following a Virginia turnover, before hitting senior forward Kristina Fisher in stride down the right sideline. Fisher then sent a high arching ball into the box but a Virginia defender was able to make a play and clear it out of harm’s way.
In the 24th minute, Miami garnered its first shot of the contest when Maria Jakobsdottir sprinted past the Virginia defense and found herself on a breakaway. The freshman forward then struck a ball towards the target, but a last minute slide tackle by a Virginia defender knocked it out of play
At the break, Miami trailed 1-0, as Tyler Speaks collected three save in the frame.
“After the first half, the team and I felt we were in a position to continue to defend [and stick to our game plan]. We knew they were going to have the ball a bunch…So, our mindset was, to defend really well and try to make them do things that they don’t normally do. To force turnovers and counter,” Barnes said. “I thought we actually did that [in the first half], and I thought we had the chance to do that in the second half. But, obviously, the early second goal takes the winds out of the sails a little bit.”
In the 50th minute, Jarrett looked to double the Cavaliers lead, however her attempt was blocked by a teammate before landing at the awaiting foot of Alexa Spaanstra. Spaanstra then struck the ball into the bottom corner to place Virginia in front 2-0.
Four minutes later, Giamportone got her head on the ball, but the junior’s attempt was corralled by Virginia goalkeeper Laurel Ivory.
Then, in the 58th minute, Virginia took a commanding 3-0 advantage, when Ordonez registered her second tally of the contest.
“I thought the team executed the game plan well in several ways,” Barnes said. “As has been the case all season long, there are too many errors, and we just have to continue to learn from them. But again, as a whole, I think the team is improving. We are significantly better than where we were [at this point] last season. We are significantly better than we were three weeks ago. But playing in the ACC, against the best teams in the country, when you commit errors, you get punished.”
Despite the loss, Barnes was happy with the continued growth of the backline and a couple young players in the Hurricanes’ lineup.
“I think Maria Jakobsdottir has continued to get better as the season progresses,” Barnes said. “She is getting on the ball a more and her movement is better. Also, I thought Dejah [Cason] defended incredibly well [tonight]; the entire back-four played well. I know it doesn’t look like that because they scored three goals, but I thought they did quite well.”
Up next, the Hurricanes will head north to take on Notre Dame Thursday, Oct. 10 in Notre Dame, Ind. The match will kick off at 7 p.m. and is set to stream live on ACC Network Extra.
