White Leads Huskies to Late Win

UConn Remains Without a Loss

September 22, 2008

STORRS, Conn. – O'Brian White found the back of the net in the 87th minute to lead the No. 4/5 University of Connecticut men's soccer team over BIG EAST opponent Cincinnati 2-1 in conference action Sunday at Morrone Stadium.

At the 86:50 mark of the game, junior Mike Pezza took the ball down field to the right side of the goal and was able to cross the ball to the front of the box where White fired a shot towards the goal, knocking off the left side post and into the back of the net for the 2-1 advantage.

UConn's O'Brian White scored the game-winning goal for the Huskies. (UConn Athletics)

White's third goal of the season came after teammate Akeem Priestley tied the game at one in the 84th minute. Priestley's goal, also his third of the year, was off a free kick pass from Pezza after a hand ball was called on a Cincinnati defender at the top of the 18-yard box.

Cincinnati scored first in the contest at the 25:24 mark in the first half, as Nick Weightmann took advantage of a one-on-one situation down the field and was able to get a shot off, just out of the reach of a diving Josh Ford and into the net.

The Huskies (4-0-3, 2-0-0 Big East) had some chances to score in the first half as Pezza took a great shot on goal on a free kick but a jumping Matt Williams in goal for Cincinnati made the save. In the 20th minute a foul on the Bearcats (2-3-3, 0-1-1) set up another free kick for the Huskies as Priestley sent the ball in front of the goal to Pezza who headed it towards the goal but was called for off sides.

Priestley's goal came with just minutes on the clock to tie the game, which was followed by White's 43rd career goal 2:17 later. Pezza's quickness to the ball and clean passes earned him two assists on the afternoon as both teams put up seven shots a piece on goal.

Ford made six saves in goal, a season-high, as he allowed just his second goal of the season in seven games played. Cincinnati's Williams made five saves in 90 minutes played.

UConn will travel to BIG EAST opponent No. 5/9 St. John's on Friday, Sept. 26 in Queens for an 8:00 p.m. conference match-up.