Arad, UConn End Vermont's Run

Scorching Midfielder Continues Hot Postseason Play

November 29, 2007

O’Brian White added some insurance with a second-half goal and UConn rolled past Vermont, ending the Catamounts storybook run through the second half of the season and sending the Huskies to the third round of the NCAA Tournament, where they will meet BIG EAST rival South Florida.

Vermont (9-10-3) nearly won out to end the season, going 5-0-3 down the stretch to earn a spot in the NCAA Tournament after a 4-9 start to the year, but couldn’t overtake the powerful Huskies (19-2-1), the No. 1 team in the nation for a good portion of the fall.

Arad, native of Isreal, started things off quickly for the Huskies, scoring just 41 seconds into the opening period. After a yellow card was issued to Vermont's Jake McFadden, UConn's Mike Pezza sent the restart into play from the left side of the field. Arad connected with a header from about four yards out and sent the ball past Vermont goalkeeper roger Scully to give UConn the early 1-0 lead.

The goal was Arad's fourth in the last three games after the defensive midfielder failed to tally a single goal since Sept. 8 of last year.

The score remained 1-0 for the balance of the first period. The Catamounts took two shots in this stretch, placing their first on goal for their most legitimate scoring chance of the night. Jordan Crasilneck took a hard shot from just north of the 18 that was saved by UConn's diving goalkeeper Josh Ford.

Ford tallied three saves and earned his 13th shutout of the year, bringing the Huskies to within two "clean sheets" of the school record of 15 set in 2000.

Newly-crowned MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist White increased his NCAA-leading goal and point total with the second goal of the night for the Huskies. Toni Stahl played the ball out to the left sideline for Ryan Cordeiro, who sent a centering pass inside to a waiting White in the goal area. The junior forward chipped it into the left side of the net to give the Huskies the 2-0 lead and the win.

UConn's match against USF in the round of 16 match will take place Sunday, Dec. 2, at 1:00 p.m. in Morrone Stadium. The Bulls defeated Akron, 1-0, in double overtime Wednesday night to advance. This will be the third meeting between the Huskies and South Florida this season. UConn came away with wins in both contests and holds a 6-0 advantage all time against the Bulls.

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