Miami Hurricanes dispatch FIU Panthers in home opener, 4-1

In a dominant showing, the Miami Hurricanes handled cross-town rival FIU easily Sunday night, claiming a 4-1 victory at Cobb Stadium.

The majority of the match was dominated by the Hurricanes, who controlled possession and did it in FIU’s end of the field.

The first goal came from recent Icelandic arrival Gudrun Haralz, who was able to finish the pass into the box from Tia Dupont. Just moments before, FIU goalkeeper Christina Velazquez denied Jamie Brunworth. The attack was on.

In the 22nd minute, the Canes were inches away from 2-0, as a header from Lexi Castellano rattles off the crossbar and above the fray. However, Castellano would be heard from again.

The second goal would come in the 30th minute, as Rachel Sorkenn, who had been subbed on two minutes before, scored.

The shots kept coming, with Miami totaling 19 in the first half. The final shot was a header from Lexi Castellano, off a free kick from Kristina Fisher earned from a foul committed by FIU’s Angel Breedlove that earned Breedlove the only yellow card of the game.

Second half

The final UM goal would come in the 60th minute, with Mallory Olsson finishing off a beautiful pass from Sierra Frey with a beautiful finish of her own. It was Olsson’s first collegiate goal.

The Panthers avoided the shutout with a moment of brilliance from redshirt sophomore Ashley Adams in the 66th minute. She was able to navigate past the UM backline and dribble around Hurricanes goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce to walk it in. Adams nearly duplicated the feat four minutes later, but Tullis-Joyce wouldn’t be fooled again.

While she did not score, midfielder Alexa Ferreira shined in the first half. The arrival from Rutgers bossed around the midfield, creating a number of fruitful opportunities for the Hurricanes.

Miami now hits the road for Nashville, where it will play Southeastern Conference foe Vanderbilt (Aug. 24), followed by Lipscomb (Aug. 26). FIU returns to University Park to host Denver on Aug. 26.