Soccer Win Streak Snapped By Miami

MIAMI, Fla. - Ole Miss and Miami fought toe to toe, but the Hurricanes (5-3) snapped the Rebel soccer team's (5-2) five-match winning streak with a 2-0 decision Friday night at Cobb Stadium.

On a hot, humid evening in south Florida, the Southeastern Conference and Atlantic Coast Conference representatives equaled each other with 11 shots apiece. But Miami used a tight, fast field to its advantage and claimed the contest with a two-goal difference, scoring once in each half.

"It was actually a pretty even game with the exception of the score," said Ole Miss head coach Steve Holeman. "We knew Miami was good on set pieces and they scored on a corner kick in the first half. We felt pretty confident even being down a goal, but once we were down two goals it made it difficult to come back on such a quality team. Miami is a tough place to play."

Ole Miss created several chances with six shots in the first half, including a strike by Kendyl Mygatt that bounced off the post. Miami also produced six shots and went up 1-0 at the 16:44 mark when Barbara Blocker headed in a goal off Megan Siebert's corner kick. It was just the second goal of the season allowed by Ole Miss keeper Alley Ronaldi.

The Hurricanes benefited from an own goal to take a 2-0 lead in the 58th minute. Miami shot a free kick from about 35 yards that Ole Miss defender Brittany King attempted to clear out of the box, but the ball skimmed off King's head and over the reach of Ronaldi.

Even after the Hurricanes' second score, Ole Miss created more chances to close the gap. Freshman defender Alix Hildal got into the Rebel attack and had a shot from inside the 18 which was knocked by the Miami keeper against the post, but bounced back across the goal and was then cleared away.

Hannah Weatherly and Arielle Cohen tied for the team lead with three shots apiece in the match. Weatherly, a senior team captain, made her first start of the season in her third outing back from a hamstring injury.

"We created some good opportunities," Holeman said. "Our girls are definitely disappointed in the loss, but as a coaching staff we're not disappointed at all in their effort. They played extremely hard for 90 minutes, and we'll rebound and get ready for Sunday. Miami's a good team and I think they are going to do well in the ACC and have a good season. It's good preparation for us for SEC play."

The Rebels' five-game win streak was the longest since a seven-game streak in 2005. At 5-2, Ole Miss is still off to its best seven-match start since also starting 5-2 in 2005. Oddly, all seven matches have been by shutout: five for Ole Miss and two against the Rebels.

Ole Miss stays in south Florida for its final non-league contest of the year, a Sunday bout against Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. Kickoff is Noon ET.

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Team Stats

Hannah Weatherly

Arielle Cohen

Alix Hildal

Kelsey Breathitt

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