CORAL GABLES, Fla. – North Florida women’s soccer got a beautiful goal from freshman Allison Souers and a clean sheet from the defense to secure its first-ever victory against a Power Four school in a 1-0 win at Miami Thursday, Aug. 15.
UNF improves to 6-0 in season openers under head coach Eric Faulconer as the Ospreys picked up its first win over the Hurricanes over five meetings.
The Ospreys took control early as Bella Pontieri stripped the ball off the defender and slotted in Souers who struck the ball over the head of the keeper and into the top left corner to give UNF the lead.
North Florida played resilient defense with Ella Dudley, Zara Siassi and Julia Cosgrove all playing the full 90 and making big stops to secure the clean sheet.
The game started an hour and 57 mintues after the originally set time due to poor weather.
UNF 1, Miami 0
27′ | Souers (Pontieri)
Inside the Match
First Half: UNF knocked on the door early with Souers striking the post in the seventh minute … The Hurricanes found their way into the game in the 20th minute when keeper Sofia Milancano came out and parried a cross into the path of Moira Flynn whose point blank shot was foiled by an impressive save from the Miami native … North Florida continued pressuring the Miami defense and in the 27th minute Pontieri stripped the ball off the defender finding Souers in the box who scored a very well-worked goal to make it 1-0 Ospreys … The Hurricanes applied pressure of their own, but North Florida was able to hold on and take a one-goal lead into the break.
Second Half: Miliancano was called into action just five minutes into the second period, making two stops in quick succession to keep the Hurricanes at bay … Miami saw a shot blocked in the 61st minute, after this the Ospreys would go the next 16 minutes without conceding any shots, locking things down defensively … North Florida was able to hold on for the final 15 minutes of the match thanks to stout defense and secured its first-ever win over the Hurricanes.
Leaders By the Numbers
UNF
Miami
Giovana Canali | 2 shots, 1 shot on goal
Kyla Gallagher | 80 minutes, 2 shots
Claireese Foley | 90 minutes, 2 saves
Notes
North Florida secured its first-ever win in program history over a Power Four school
Head coach Eric Faulconer improves to 6-0 in season openers
Miliancano made her first appearance for the Ospreys since Aug. 20 2023, tallying four saves and recording a clean sheet
Pontieri recorded her first collegiate assist
Souers marked her first appearance for UNF with her first collegiate goal
The Ospreys are 8-4-2 in matches played in August under head coach Eric Faulconer
