UConn Takes Regular Season Crown

Earns No. 1 Seed in Big East

November 4, 2007

SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. – The No. 1-ranked University of Connecticut men’s soccer team downed Seton Hall, 1-0, in the team’s season finale Saturday. The win gives the Huskies the Big East Blue Division title and the top seed heading into next weekend’s conference tournament

Ryan Cordeiro scored his sixth goal of the year to lead UConn (15-2-1, 8-2-1) past the Pirates (7-11-0, 3-8-0).

Mike Pezza assisted on the tally, extending his NCAA-leading total to 14. The Husky backfield, anchored by Hermann Trophy candidate Julius James and Kwame Watson-Siriboe in the middle, helped keeper Josh Ford earn the team's 10th shutout of the year. Ford was outstanding between the pipes, tallying four saves, including one late in the second half off a free kick, and making several strong defensive plays.

The Huskies had their chances early. In the 24th minute, Chukwudi Chijindu shot the ball just wide right following a cross from Cordeiro. O'Brian White then came back about two minutes later with a strong run, only to be tripped up in the box before getting his shot off.

White's eagerness continued throughout the half, but to no avail. He was called offside twice in the last four-plus minutes of play, the first call coming after converting on a long centering pass from Greg King with a header into the back of the net, only to have it called back.

For Seton Hall, Dritan Sela made two big shots in the first half, hitting the left post with both. The first came off a restart in the opening minutes, followed by a hard shot from the far side.

Despite the close calls on both sides, they headed into the intermission with a 0-0 score.

The second half started off in much of the same fashion as the first ended with the Huskies making a strong push towards goal. Their efforts finally paid off in the 63rd minute when Pezza received the ball along the right side of the penalty area and sent a cross over to Cordeiro on the left side. The senior midfielder then headed it into the middle of the net to give UConn the 1-0 lead.

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