Canes Come Up Short against Third-Ranked UNC, 3-2
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Leaving it all out on the pitch one final time dawning orange and green, the University of Miami soccer team and its five seniors dropped a back-and forth match with third-ranked North Carolina, 3-2, Thursday night at Cobb Stadium.
“You expect to get better as the season progresses, of course. And I think we definitely did, no question,” Barnes said. “I think we have been defending at a higher level and we started working back. I think as you start to get better you continue to build more confidence. And what I think is most impressive with this group and in particular these seniors – [Dejah Cason, Bayleigh Chaviers, Kristina Fisher, Lauren Markwith and Hannah Marwede] – is that there were a number of consecutive losses and I think that is really hard to take that failure time, after time, after time. But, they never let it get them down and they never let it change their effort or their focus. And they each believed that we could come out and do it.
“I think that is what ultimately put us in position to have a win against No. 15 Clemson and have two great chances against both No. 12 Louisville and UNC,” Barnes continued. “Obviously, I feel like the future is bright, but I certainly say that heavy heartedly because those four are just really good people, good players and I would have loved to have had four seasons with them.”
Looking to keep the match even at 0-0, sophomore defender Sierra Frey got on the other end of a shot by Bridge Andrzejewski in the 12th minute, to prevent a goal-scoring opportunity.
Then in the 14th minute, after UNC (16-1-1, 9-0-1 ACC) sent a through ball up the middle, sophomore goalkeeper Tyler Speaks was quick off her line to slide in for the stop.
However, Rachel Jones placed the Tar Heels in front, 1-0, with a rocket from outside the 18-yard box in the 19th minute.
Not backing down, the Hurricanes continued to make counters and fight after the ball. Then, in the 42nd minute, Frey made a great defensive stop in the box which was sent towards the awaiting foot of Tia Dupont. The junior midfielder then sent a beautifully placed ball past UNC goalkeeper Marz Josephson to even the match at 1-1.
Out of the break, the Hurricanes gave the Tar Heels only their second, second half deficit of the season, beginning with a great defensive play by Frey.
The sophomore stepped in front of a Tar Heel pass and connected with freshman midfielder Maria Jakobsdottir in space. As Chaviers began to make a run up the middle of the pitch, Jakobsdottir sent a perfectly placed through ball into space towards the top of the six-yard box.
Making a well-timed run, junior midfielder Michelle Giamportone connected on an incredible diving header to place Miami in front, 2-1.
With just 28 minutes to play and following a seven player substitution, the Tar Heels evened the tally off a throw in, as the goal was scored by Zoe Redei.
“I think what makes them so difficult to play against is that they have their starters, and then they bring in seven subs for their 10 field players; which gives those seven starters some relief for 15 minutes before coming back on,” Barnes said. “With the depth they have, it is really difficult [to play against] especially since we played with 13 players total and they played with 20. So, ultimately, they wear you down eventually.”
Off an unbelievable defense effort, Miami saw Tyler Speaks make two incredible saves off a pair of UNC shots in the 83rd minute, while freshman defender Mari Horpestad and sophomore defender Selena Fortich each got in the way of two more UNC shots.
However, in the 84th minute Brianna Pinto gave the Tar Heels a lead they would not look back on.
Overall, the Canes cap the 2019 campaign with a 5-9-1 overall mark and 2-7-1 record in ACC play.
