University of Connecticut Athletics
Huskies Outlast Mustangs 4-3 in Sunday Exhibition Action
8/21/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
AKRON, Ohio - A rejuvenated and spirited Husky squad took the field Sunday afternoon, as Connecticut overtook Southern Methodist, 4-3, in the consolation game of the inaugural Westfield Cup at the University of Akron. Ryan Cordeiro (Highland Mills, N.Y.) opened scoring just 11 seconds into the match, while O’Brian White (Scarborough, Ontario, Canada), Willis Forko (Houston, Texas) and Mpho Moloi (Soweto, South Africa) each added a goal to round out scoring for UConn. Kevin Burns (Greenfield, Ind.) also tallied two assists in the game.
The Huskies controlled the opening kick, feeding Cordeiro the ball about 25 yards out from the goal. The sophomore kicker then beat his defensive pressure and sent a soft ground shot from the top of the box into the far right corner of the net to score UConn’s first goal of the preseason tournament.
SMU’s defense buckled down, giving up just two shots over the next 44 minutes, including a close call to Cordeiro in the 13th minute. Burns sent a corner kick into the box, where Cordeiro sent a side kick shot just high over the crossbar.
The Huskies remained in the lead for 15 minutes until Jay Needham found the back of the net for the Mustangs to tie the score at one. Needham sent a quick shot over keeper Alex Horwath (Woodbine, Md.) after receiving the cross from teammate Duke Hashimoto. With just 29 seconds remaining in the first period, White sent a header over Mustang goalie Steve Sandbo off a Burns corner kick to send UConn into halftime with a 2-1 advantage.
The pace of the game increased from the first whistle in the second half, with both teams coming out strong. Following a Husky foul in the box, SMU received a penalty kick opportunity just over three minutes into the period to bring the score to 2-2. The score would not remain even for long, as the Huskies jumped ahead 3-2 with a goal from Forko in the 61st minute to take the lead for the third and final time of the game.
UConn received retribution for its allowed penalty kick six minutes later, as the Mustangs committed a foul in the box and Moloi was awarded a penalty kick. With the quick shot just out of reach of the SMU keeper Sandbo, the Huskies increased their lead to 4-2 to head down the stretch.
The Mustangs continued the fight, adding one final goal with just over four minutes to play in the game. Jay Needham sent a lob shot from 30 yards out that slipped just over Horwath’s outstretched hands. The Huskies squelched any further scoring efforts for SMU down the stretch, securing the 4-3 victory.
UConn returns to action Saturday, Aug. 27 against Duke in the final preseason exhibition for both teams. The match will take place at 7:00 p.m. in Joseph J. Morrone Stadium in Storrs, Conn.
Goals by period 1 2 Tot
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Connecticut..........2 2 - 4
SMU....................1 2 - 3
SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 0:11 UConn Ryan Cordeiro (unassisted)
2. 16:00 SMU Jay Needham (Duke Hashimoto)
3. 44:31 UConn O'Brian White (Kevin Burns)
4. 48:18 SMU Mynor Gonzalez (unassisted)
5. 61:31 UConn Willis Forko (Kevin Burns)
6. 67:32 UConn Mpho Moloi (unassisted)
7. 85:51 SMU Jay Needham (unassisted)
Shots: Connecticut 8, Southern Methodist 5
Saves: Connecticut 2, Southern Methodist 1
Westfield Cup Consolation Game
