Nov. 17, 2002
Miami's soccer team ended their program's best season on Sunday afternoon as they fell short against the University of Michigan, 4-0, at U of M Soccer Field in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
The loss ended the soccer careers of seven seniors who turned in a four-year record of 64-21-4 and a 19-3-2 mark during their 2002 campaign. For the second consecutive season, the RedHawks knocked off a highly touted opponent in the first round of the NCAA Tournament before falling in the second round.
The Wolverines, who were rated as high as ninth in the nation during the 2002 season, came out hot even though the temperature was below freezing.
Michigan forward Therese Heaton took a pass for a breakaway off a turnover created by Abby Crumpton in the midfield to score the first goal of the game in only the sixth minute.
Heaton struck again while the clock read 33:32 off another Miami turnover for a breakaway shot that hit the cross bar before rolling in the goal to make the score 2-0.
The RedHawks walked away from the first half with the same number of shots on goal, but yet an imposing 2-0 disadvantage. Most of the first half was played on the midfield, but the two breakaway goals by Heaton proved to be a major difference.
"We absolutely served up the first two goals on silver platters for them," said head coach Bobby Kramig. "You can't give a team as good as Michigan those kinds of opportunities because they'll just kill you with them."
Michigan did not let down in the second half. Senior midfielder Vicky Whitley chipped a ball over the head of Miami goalkeeper Leigh Terry a little more than two minutes into the second half while Crumpton earned her second assist of the game to become Michigan's all-time leading point-scorer.
The two teams battled in the bitter cold weather for the next 42 minutes until Kate Morgan put the game away by scoring off a cross by Laura Tanchon with only 45 seconds remaining to make the final score, 4-0.
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"I think we were equal to them both athletically and skillfully," said senior midfielder Danielle Altiero. "The balls just weren't falling our way today. They did a great job of jumping on their chances."
Miami was outshot 13-5 in the game, although both goalkeepers tallied four saves in the second round game.
The 2002 RedHawks earned their first Mid-American Conference regular season title, their third consecutive MAC tournament crown and their second NCAA tournament win in program history.
"It was a great run and I am proud of our team for what we accomplished here at Miami," said senior midfielder Shaedyn Cousino.
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