Miami Hurricanes
2012 Overall Rank: #40
Conference Rank: #9 ACC
Miami Team Page
In Coach Tom Anagnost’s first season at Miami (FL), he took the Hurricanes further than they ever have gone in the NCAA Tournament. The Hurricanes knocked off Alabama in double overtime to reach the second round, where they lost in a thriller to Long Beach State. Miami is on the rise and the return of a slew of talented players who now have NCAA Tournament experience should have the Hurricanes ready to make a little more noise in the crowded ACC. That may not result in a huge move up the standings due to the caliber of the conference, but it should result in another trip to the tournament.
2011 Record: 10-8-1, 3-6-1
2011 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Tom Anagnost
Strengths:
The Hurricanes will have to squeeze out points in what is usually a high scoring conference. This is a team that will give up goals, but they can score enough to pull off some big victories. Senior forward Kate Howarth is the leader of the pack after tallying 11 goals and seven assists a season ago. Shannon Caspar is coming off of a superb freshman campaign. Eventually Coach Anagnost had to put her in the starting lineup. She proved to be extremely efficient around the goal, scoring five goals on 22 shots. Another sophomore, Ashley Flinn could be in for a breakout season as well. Flinn scored four goals and dished out five assists on the year. The difference with Flinn is that she is 5-9 and can make a huge difference in the air. Defender Tara Schwitter is the other big part of the Hurricanes attack, scoring five goals and recording four assists.
Weaknesses:
Miami’s defense ranked 249th in the nation, allowing 1.76 goals per game. Such is life in the ACC and the Hurricanes failed to record a shutout in conference play in 2011. The defense is a year older and a year wiser, but this team is still going to have to deal with some of the best strikers in the nation on a weekly basis. That could be a big problem if keeper Abbey Smith is not ready to take over for the departed Vikki Alonzo. Alonzo was a four-year starter, so bringing in a new keeper is a big deal. Smith could be up for the job though. She is 5-10 and surprisingly athletic for her size. Getting goals past her may not be easy as long as she is prepared. Freshman keeper Paula Forero Cabrera, a native of Bogota, Colombia, will also get a shot at playing between the posts.
Final Projection:
Miami’s record may not improve too much this season, but this should be a better squad overall. Coach Anagnost is adding depth and talent to the roster and it showed in the spring. The Hurricanes will win plenty of non-conference games and lose plenty in ACC competition. But that was enough to get them into the NCAA Tournament in 2011 and the story should be the same in 2012. The difference now is that this group has been there before and, after battling through the ACC, Miami will be tested and prepared to go further than they did last year in the NCAA Tournament.
Projected Postseason: NCAA
Returning Leaders:
Goals: Kate Howarth, Senior, F, 11
Assists: Kate Howarth, Senior, F, 7
Shots: Kate Howarth, Senior, F, 45
Saves: Abbey Smith, Sophomore, GK, 2
Madness 2012 Women’s Soccer Recruit Rankings:
#42 Jasmine Paterson
#61 Sidney Morales-Parodie
