Hurricanes Set to Open Fall Campaign
DAYTON,Ohio — The Miami Hurricanes women’s soccer team opens its highlyanticipated fall schedule on the road this weekend with exhibition match-upsagainst Dayton and Ohio State.
TheHurricanes will face off against Dayton under the lights on Fri., Aug. 10 (7p.m.) before a short road trip to Columbus and another exhibition with theBuckeyes on Sunday afternoon (Aug. 12, 1 p.m.).
“We’regoing to be competing against two excellent programs, and we’re excited aboutit,” head coach Tom Anagnost said. “Both opponents will challenge us mightily and expose what we will need to improve onfor the future.”
Afterrecording the first postseason win in program history during their 2011campaign, the Hurricanes return to the pitch for a schedule that includes 13contests against teams that qualified for the NCAA Championship last season.Alongside Miami, both Dayton and Ohio State received votes in the initialNSCAA/Continental Tire Preseason Rankings released earlier this week.
“It’sa great chance for our coaches to coach and evaluate our players againsttalented competition,” Anagnost said. “We’re going to be looking closely to seeif they play the game how they’ve been trained.”
TheHurricanes, who finished the 2011 season with a 10-8-1 overall record, returnseven starters from last year’s squad. Included in that mix are second-teamAll-ACC selection Kate Howarth (11 goals, seven assists), sophomore AshleyFlinn (four goals, five assists) and junior Tara Schwitter (five goals, fourassists).
Anagnost’sstaff will enjoy the addition of 14 newcomers to the roster, including two-timeAll-BIG EAST selection Tina Romagnuolo (Syracuse) and goalkeeper Emily Lillard (Arkansas). JasminePaterson (forward), Ally Andreini (midfielder) and Paige Lombard (midfielder)highlight an 11-member freshman class expected to contribute right away.
“Thisweekend’s going to be a great challenge against two consistent NCAA Tournamentand nationally ranked programs. We’re excited to get everything going,”Anagnost said.
Miamiopens its regular season Fri. Aug. 17, on the road against No. 21 Florida.
