Canes Drop Heartbreaker to California
BERKELEY, Calif. – The University of Miami Soccer team (3-5-2) lost in heartbreaking fashion on the road to California (10-1-2) Sunday afternoon by a final score of 3-2.
“I mentioned on Thursday that this team was capable of a result, and coming back twice with two goals shows that,” said Head Coach Ken Masuhr. “However, wanting to get a result and doing what is required to actually earn one is still something that this team is learning. This team is scoring goals and they fight nonstop, but games are won and lost inside the 18-yard box, and at the moment we are not decisive or disciplined enough in defending ours and that needs to change.”
Giovana Canali had a sensational performance for the Hurricanes, recording nine shots, five of which were on frame, and scoring two goals to record her second multi-goal outing of the season.
The Canes did an exceptional job of marking the nation’s leading scorer, Karlie Lema, limiting her to just two shots and zero goals. Lema entered the match with 13 goals on the season.
Miami took command of the contest from the start, coming out incredibly strong, and dominating possession. The Canes recorded three shots and earned two corner kicks in the first eight minutes of the match.
Cal responded in the 21st minute, scoring a goal on a free kick that was their first shot of the day. The goal quickly shifted the momentum of the contest in their favor.
Down 1-0, the Canes showed tremendous poise and battled back. Just over five minutes later Kyla Gallagher intercepted an errant pass from the Golden Bears in the final third and found Canali a few yards outside of the box. Canali took two touches and ripped a shot towards the bottom left corner of the goal and flew by the Cal goalkeeper, evening the match at 1-1.
Cal responded once again in the form of a goal right before the half, finding the back of the net in the 41st minute, as they took a 2-1 advantage into the break.
Miami commenced the second half similar to how they started the first period, coming out with high intensity and heavily pressing their attack.
After a few quality chances that they were unable to convert, the Canes broke through once again in the 68th minute. Ciara Alarcon intercepted another errant pass by Cal in the final third and found Canali outside the box. Canali made an incredible move to get by a Cal defender and laced a stellar left-footed shot from just inside the top of the box that soared past the goalkeeper, marking her second goal of the match and seventh goal of the season.
The two squads continued the back-and-forth play over the next nine minutes; but, the Golden Bears managed to score once again in the 77th minute, taking a 3-2 lead over the Canes.
Miami fought back, pressing their attack, and creating a few quality chances down the stretch; however, they were unable to find the equalizer.
Miami recorded seven shots, five of which were on frame, while Cal compiled 11 shots, five of which were on target.
The Canes will return home to face Virginia Tech this Thursday, Oct. 3 at Cobb Stadium, with kickoff set for 8 p.m.
