Miami Falls to No. 7 Virginia in Home Finale
‘Canes to end regular season with two road contests

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami women’s soccer team fell to a talented No. 7 Virginia squad, 4-1, Sunday afternoon at Cobb Stadium.

Virginia, one of five Atlantic Coast Conference schools ranked in the Top 10, scored two goals in each half in taking a 4-0 lead before Miami’s Fatima Nasser scored on a penalty kick in the 70th minute.

The Cavaliers (11-3-2, 5-2-1 ACC) scored their first goal in the 11th minute as Kika Toulouse headed in Erica Hollenberg’s corner kick at the far post.

Seven minutes later, Sinead Farrelly scored the game-winner when her 20-yard strike found the right side of the net.

Virginia’s second half goals came from Julia Roberts and Hollenberg.

For the second time in as many games, Miami was awarded a penalty kick as Nasser was successful on the attempt scoring in the right upper 90 in the 70th minute.

The Hurricane goal was the team’s 30th of the year – the most in a season since 2007.

“Our energy is something that we have to address,” said head coach Tricia Taliaferro. “This group has a strong mentality and has been resilient. I know we will work hard to bounce back.”

Prior to the season, the Hurricanes teamed-up with UM alum Kristen Kenney’s MALAIKA FOR LIFE organization in Scoring Goals to Save Lives. The premise of the initiative sees the soccer program donate $10 to the charity to fight malaria in Africa for every goal scored throughout the season. Fans of the program have been matching donations during the season.

At halftime associate head coach Jeff Freeman presented Kenney with a check worth $1,860 for her charity.

Miami will play its second and third consecutive games against ACC teams ranked in the Top 10 when it faces No. 6 Boston College on Thursday and No. 4 Maryland on Sunday – both games will be played on the road.

With a pair of victories next week, Miami will have claimed wins over three ranked conference opponents. The ‘Canes defeated No. 18 Duke earlier this season. Eight different ACC teams have been ranked so far this season.

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