UConn Teams Win Big East Openers

Huskies Come Away with 1-0 Victories in First Conference Games

September 20, 2008

STORRS, Conn. – The University of Connecticut soccer teams kicked of its respective Big East Conference schedules with 1-0 wins on Friday.

The No. 5 men’s side captured a one-goal victory over No. 16 Louisville at Morrone Stadium while the women’s squad beat Providence on a goal in the 87th minute of the match.

Senior captain Dori Arad (Hahotrim, Isreal) scored in the 77th minute to lead the UConn men to its third win of the season (3-0-3, 1-0-0 Big East) while dropping Louisville to 5-1-1 overall and 0-1 in the conference.

At the 76:08 mark in the second half, freshman midfielder Tony Cascio dropped a pass in front of the box to senior captain O'Brian White, who then passed the ball off to Arad just to the right of the goal, leaving enough room for Arad to square up and drill the ball into the lower left corner of the net to put the Huskies up 1-0.

One of the biggest chances that the Huskies had to score in the first half was by White, who had a fast break at the 36:28 mark. White went one-on-one with the Cardinals' goalkeeper, but a diving save by Boudreaux stopped White's chance of getting a clean shot at the net.

UConn goalkeeper Josh Ford made three saves in 90 minutes of play. UConn will return to action as they host BIG EAST opponent Cincinnati on Sunday, Sept. 21 at Morrone Stadium.

On the women’s side, Annie Yi scored at 86:22 to give UConn the lead and their first win in four games.

Redshirt sophomore Ashley O’Brien (Broad Brook, Conn.) attempted three corner kicks in the matter of a minute in the first half. After the third corner, O’Brien took a shot herself but it was able to be saved by Providence goalie Jill Schott.

Despite a lot of offense by both teams, the score remained at halftime 0-0.

UConn was actually able to get the ball in the goal during the 74th minute of play. Busque reeled around and kicked the ball past the goalie, but was apparently offsides according to the referee.

UConn was finally able to capitalize on their many opportunities at 86:22 when Yi sent a laser shot to the top of the goal past the reach of the Providence goalie. Yi was helped out by Busque on the goal.