Box Score
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Bobcats season got underway Saturday afternoon with the Southeastern Fire coming to town in a non-conference match-up. STU was able to prevail behind a shutout from Ariana Lorenzo and Sara Mira's first tally of the year holding off the Fire 1-0. An excited Michelle Smith stated “we wanted to start the season off with a win. We were looking for more goals but we got the win”
The Bobcats jumped out of the gates early with quick passing combinations. This lead to their first chance on goal which came in the first minute as newcomer Melony Poviones played a ball across to Mira. Mira cleverly chipped the goal keeper but was unlucky as it hit off the cross bar and SEU was able to clear the ball. The duo of Mira and Poviones were a handful for the Fire defense all day combining for 18 shots.
When asked how playing with her new teammate Poviones, Mira responded that “It's easy for me because I have a lot of help. I had help [up top] last year but it is easier with her here. She finds me every time to my feet and that's what I need in order to finish. Last year I didn't get that many chances but this year I should have plenty with her playing.”
Poviones echoed that sentiment “Me and Sara are really close so we combine off each other really well.”
In the 31st minute the efforts of the duo prevailed as Poviones played a ball on the wing to freshman Sarrah Granda who was able to deliver quality service in to the box. This time around the cross was finished off well by Mira as she tucked the ball into the right side netting just out of the reach of SEU keeper Karleigh Smoak.
“It nice to watch them play” and watch she did as Smith's Bobcats dictated the pace by dominating possession for much of the game. It wasn't all positive though as they had some trouble finishing in the final third amassing 34 total shots with 13 coming on frame.
“I believed our girls did well, it was our first game of the season so you will have your bumps and bruises” remarked assistant coach Lito Garro “we just have to go back and practice and fix certain things”
When asked if there was any concern with the lack of finishing he quickly countered with “Right now we can't panic, [it is the] first game, obviously we would like to finish those shots but to get that you have to get there first.”
The youth that the has squad was on display as five freshmen saw collegiate action, Granda, Danelle Nguyen and Silvana Dodero earned starts while Alexia Clark and Melissa Camacho came on as substitutions later in the first half. Coach Smith was able to display the versatility of her young squad starting with a 4-4-2 formation then switching to a 3-5-2 with Clark's entry, before finally reverting back to the 4-4-2 to seal the victory.
“We have a lot of technical players which is going to be good, we can work as a team” stated Smith. She explained that her decision to change formations was hinged on how SEU was deployed up top. “They weren't attacking us in the beginning so that allowed us to put numbers forward; when they switched to three up top [in the second half] we had to drop back. We have smart players that can adjust to that”
For keeper Ariana Lorenzo and her veteran laden back line it was smooth sailing to the shutout victory. Courtney Trujillo and Jessica McCormack made Lozano's life easy as she was rarely tested coming up with five saves on seven shots from the Fire.
Post game Lozano attested “It gives us a lot of confidence that we can do this to a good team like Southeastern…. we all have good communication and we all have a lot of heart and that's what it comes down to. I trust them and they trust me.”
The Bobcats return to action on Friday at 1 pm as the University of North Alabama comes down to Miami Gardens.
