The University of Cincinnati played a hard fought game versus the University of Miami (Fla.) on Friday night in Miami, Fla., but the Canes outlasted the Bearcats to pull off a 2-0 victory. The season opening loss was the first official match under the tutelage of new head coach Neil Stafford.

"I think we're as happy as we can be with a loss," said head coach Neil Stafford. "I was really proud how the women played tonight. I thought we had a great game plan. We came in, tried to implement it, and came up a little unlucky."

When the opening whistle blew, Cincinnati (0-1-0) had a total of five freshmen in the starting lineup against the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) opponent. Despite the youth ont he field, the Bearcats battle up and down the field with the Hurricanes.

Midway through the first half, Miami (1-0-0) snagged a 1-0 lead as Jasmine Paterson blasted a ball into the far upper corner of the goal.

Both teams generated a few chances in the remainder of the half, but none closer than one that UC had in the final seconds.

UC crossed the ball into the box from the left side of the goal to have it headed away by a Hurricane defender, but freshman Katy Couperus was waiting at the top of the box. With seconds remaining on the clock, Couperus volleyed the ball towards upper 90 of the near post, only to have it swatted away by Miami’s diving goalkeeper.

With the Bearcats final attempt to score in the first half being negated, the Hurricanes carried its 1-0 lead into the locker rooms.

Cincinnati came out the second half the same way they ended the first by putting pressure on the Hurricanes’ defense.

The Bearcats’ first and only corner kick came at the 48^th minute, but the Canes headed the ball out of the box to stop the scoring opportunity.

Sophomore Laura Rose generated another chance in the 64^th minute as she received a pass from over the defenders’ heads, but again, UC was denied creeping goalkeeper.

With Cincinnati pressing to equalize the match, the Hurricanes netted a second goal at the 83^rd minute to put the game out of reach.

"I really felt we played right with Miami," Stafford added. "Their first goal by Paterson was a great goal by a great player, but other than that, I think we came up unlucky at times and outplayed them in certain areas, mainly the second half."

The Bearcats now head to face the Nebraska Cornhuskers in a Sunday matinee in Lincoln, Nebraska. It will be a rematch from last year as the Cornhuskers trumped UC, 2-1, at Gettler Stadium. The match begins at 1 p.m. ET, and it can be followed via live stats here.

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