Miami Soccer closes its non-conference schedule with a 4-1 win over Southeastern Louisiana

The Miami Hurricanes concluded their non-league schedule with a resounding 4-1 victory over the Southeastern Louisiana Lady Lions.

Head coach Ken Masuhr told Hurricanes Athletics he was “proud of [Miami’s] reaction in the second half tonight.”

“After scoring an early goal, I felt like our group didn’t quite live up to the expectations we had set for ourselves, and that was reflected in our halftime speech. We responded and scored some very good goals, and we were able to get some players their first minutes in college. It was exciting to watch, and I’m looking forward to carrying that momentum into ACC play.”

Looking to build on its two home wins against Missouri and Florida International, the Miami team was determined to make its presence felt. At Cobb Stadium on Thursday under partly cloudy skies in Coral Gables, the ‘Canes dominated from the start. A goal in the third minute by rising forward Kyla Gallagher set the tone for what was to come in the game.

After the Lady Lions conceded an equalizing goal in the 23rd minute of the game, the Hurricanes went into the locker room with a 1-1 score. However, this tie did not last long.

Early in the second half, star striker Giovana Canali fired a ball straight down the middle of the field in the 46th minute that found its way into the net after a deflection. Canali continued to add to her team-high three goals, but Gallagher will likely catch her in the near future. Her two goals on the night moved her into second place in her category, with her second goal coming in the 71st minute off a deflected pass from Tori Grambo.

The other goal of the evening for Miami was scored by freshman Ciara Alarcon. For the newcomer from West Palm Beach, it was the first goal in a Hurricanes jersey.

The Hurricanes made history with Thursday night’s result, including the most goals they’ve scored in a game in three years. In addition, the ‘Canes have won three games in a row, the most they’ve won in seven straight years.

Miami is now fighting its way into the difficult Atlantic Coast Conference, which features five of the top 10 teams in the country, so it’s important for the group to maintain the momentum it has built. They’ll look to begin that task on Thursday, September 12.

The fourth-ranked team in the country, the Virginia Cavaliers, visit Cobb Stadium at 7 p.m. for an exciting duel with the team from Miami.