Boxscore
SEATTLE, WA (September 29) - The University of Connecticut
men's soccer team came away with two wins, capturing the 14th annual Husky Nike
Classic with a 2-0 win over host University of Washington on Sunday afternoon in
Seattle, WA. UConn improved to 6-2-0, while Washington fell to 3-3-2.
Connecticut came-from-behind to defeat No. 12 Portland, 2-1,
while Washington stole the victory from Marquette, 3-2, both on Friday evening
in the first day action of the Husky Nike Classic. Washington owns seven wins at
the Husky Nike Classic, while Portland has seven and Marquette taken one victory
in the 14-year history of the tournament. The win was UConn's first over
Washington in three tries. UConn's Shavar Thomas (Kingston, Jamaica) was named
the 2002 Husky Nike Classic Defensive MVP, while Washington's Sean Giudice was
the Offensive MVP.
UConn took the 1-0 lead midway though the first half (28:18)
on a hard kicked shot from Damani Ralph (Kingston, Jamaica), his team-leading
sixth goal. Andrew McLeod (Kingston, Jamaica) sent the throw-in from the far
side of the field to the feet of Ralph. He controlled the ball by juggling it to
his thigh, and back to his feet, all while turning toward the net. Ralph took
the awkward angled shot, sending it into the upper middle of the net past the
diving Washington keeper, Chris Eylander. On the other side, UW's best chance of
the half came off a direct kick from Mike Chabala at the 10:26 mark of the half.
The shot was deflected out by UConn keeper Adam Schuerman (Brookfield, WI),
which forced another shot by Washington's Aaron Heinzen, and then an additional
save by Schuerman.
Just shy of a minute into the second half, Washington's Brett
Wiesner headed a ball into the net past Schuerman, but it was called off sides
and the goal was waived off. UConn had a chance to take the 2-0 lead on a
crossing pass from Rui Fernandes (Bridgeport, CT), that Mike Mordocco (Dix
Hills, NY) headed, hitting the left post. Moments later, at the 73:36 mark,
Mordocco passed the ball to Ralph inside the offensive box. Ralph took the low
bullet shot to put Connecticut ahead, 2-0.
Schuerman netted his fourth shutout of the season, recording
two saves, while Eylander stopped three shots on goal for Washington.
Connecticut dominated play out shooting Washington, 18-7.
UConn will continue its five-game road trip at Boston College
on Wednesday, October 2 at 3:00 pm at the Newton Campus Field in Newton, MA.
