CORAL GABLES, Fla. - Georgia Southern women's soccer tallied a goal in each half to knock off the University of Miami, 2-1, on Sunday afternoon at Cobb Stadium in Coral Gables, Fla.
The Eagles (3-1) defeated their first P5 opponent since claiming a 2-1 win over Indiana on August 29, 2014, and Georgia Southern also improved to 3-5 all-time against ACC opponents with the victory. Miami fell to 1-1-2 on the season with the loss.
Georgia Southern has also knocked off regionally-ranked opponents in back-to-back matches. The Eagles defeated No. 7 South-ranked North Florida on Thursday and defeated No. 10 Atlantic-ranked Miami on Sunday, according to the United Soccer Coaches' latest region rankings.
A turnover forced by the Eagles in Miami's own box resulted in the first goal of the match. Sophomore Bri Conley fed senior Simone Timm with a pass right in front of the keeper and Timm finished easily just four minutes and eight seconds into the match for the early 1-0 lead. it was also only the second goal given up by the Hurricanes this season.
The Eagles took a 4-2 edge in shots into the break against the Hurricanes.
In the second half, the Eagles doubled the lead on a sequence in the 56th minute. Timm dribbled down the left side and crossed a ball into the box. A Miami defender tried to clear, but the ball came to the body of junior Smith Cathey, who settled and finished inside the far post for her third goal of the season and the 2-0 advantage.
Miami would get one back in the 71st minute as a cross found the head of Katerina Molina just in front of the net that made the score 2-1, but the Eagles would limit the Hurricanes to just one shot over the last 19 minutes to collect the victory.
Freshman Quinn Wilson would make four saves in net for the victory for the Eagles, while Melissa Dagenais collected one save for the Hurricanes. Miami held a 4-3 edge in corner kicks, and Georgia Southern was whistled for six fouls and one offsides in the match, while Miami was not whistled for a foul in the entire 90 minutes of play. Shots finished tied at 7-all.
"I'm super proud of our kids for this win," Georgia Southern head women's soccer coach Chris Adams said. "Playing an ACC opponent and beating a Power 5 school - we'd done it in the Spring season, but not during the regular season. A win like this is an important step in the progress of our program. And to do it on the road and compete the way we did is a great accomplishment. Hail Southern!"
