University of Connecticut Athletics
No. 12 Huskies Down Syracuse, 1-0
9/25/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
STORRS, Conn. (September 25, 2005) - Ryan Cordeiro (Highland Mills, N.Y.) scored the game-winning goal mid-way through the first half to lead the 12th-ranked University of Connecticut men’s soccer team to a 1-0 win over conference foe Syracuse Sunday afternoon at Joseph J. Morrone Stadium. With the win, the Huskies improve to 5-2-1 overall and 1-2-1 in the BIG EAST, while the Orange falls to 4-3-1 and 0-2-1 in the conference.
Drew Brown (Middletown, Conn.) dodged the Syracuse defense early in the 20th minute of action and made his way downfield, passing the ball off to Dori Arad (Hahotrim, Israel) about 25 yards out from the goal. Arad then served the ball to Cordeiro, who dribbled the ball across the top of the penalty box before sending a left-footed shot passed Syracuse’s keeper, Robert Cavicchia, to give the Huskies the lead at the 19:52 mark.
UConn’s defense, anchored by Hermann Trophy candidates Julius James (Maloney Gardens, Trinidad) and Mpho Moloi (Soweto, South Africa), held the Orange to just two shots in the first half, while Husky goalie Adam Schuerman (Brookfield, Wis.) made three saves in the game en route to recording his second straight shutout.
UConn threatened early in the first half when Arad sent a free kick over the crossbar just over six minutes into the game and again in the 17th minute when a flurry of activity in front of the goal almost put the Huskies on top. Cordeiro got off a quick shot, which was blocked by Syracuse’s defense, but he was able to collect on the rebound and serve it back into play to O’Brian White (Scarborough, Ontario, Canada). White headed the ball to Moshe Shalchon (Rishon Lezioh, Israel) who took a shot from three yards out that sailed over the goal.
Cordeiro’s goal put the Huskies on top just three minutes later and play settled for the remainder of the half, as each team got off just one shot in the final 25 minutes of play in the first period.
The Orange had several close opportunities in the second half, as they posted five shots in the period. Pete Rowley sent the ball into the box that was grabbed by Schuerman, but bobbled and put back into play. UConn’s keeper regained control without giving up a shot, however, and the ball was sent safely back into Connecticut’s zone. Approximately five minutes later, early in the 68th minute of action, Pat Gallagher sent a header into the crossbar for one of Syracuse’s closest scoring attempts of the contest.
The Huskies battled to increase their lead, with Arad and Cordeiro each getting close shots off in the second half. Arad received a cross from Cordeiro with just under 21 minutes to play and got off a header, only to be blocked by a Syracuse defender. With time winding down, Cordeiro again served the ball inside, this time to a streaming Stanley Ford (Liverpool, N.Y.), but Cavicchia beat Ford to the ball and stopped the play.
UConn returns to action in a rare mid-week game as they take on Sacred Heart Wednesday night at 7:00. The Pioneers are currently 3-3-0 on the year.
Goals by period 1 2 Tot
Syracuse 0 0 0
UConn 1 0 1
SCORING SUMMARY:
1 19:52 UC Ryan Cordeiro (3) (Drew Brown, Dori Arad)
Shots: Syracuse 7, UConn 7
Saves: Syracuse 0 (Robert Cavicchia), UConn 3 (Adam Schuerman 3)
