University of Connecticut Athletics
Men's Soccer Defeats Canisius In Season Opener
8/31/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
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STORRS, Conn. (August 31, 2007) - Junior O'Brian White (Scarborough, Ontario) scored two goals and posted five shots as the University of Connecticut men's soccer team defeated Canisius, 3-2, Friday night at Joseph J. Morrone Stadium in front of 3,604 fans. With the win, UConn starts the 2007 season 1-0-0, while the Griffs begin 0-1-0.
Senior Chukwudi Chijindu (Fontana, Calif.) also scored for the Huskies, while sophomore Mike Pezza (Jackson, N.J.) assisted on all three goals and senior Karl Schilling (Canton, Conn.) and junior Akeem Priestley (Kingston, Jamaica) each added one. Bolstered by M.A.C. Hermann Trophy candidate Julius James (Maloney Gardens, Trinidad), the defense was spectacular, limiting Canisius to just two shots on the night, both in the waning minutes of the second half.
UConn's offense fired at the goal early and often, tallying an unanswered 15 shots in the first period. Senior Ryan Cordeiro (Highland Mills, N.Y.) started things off in the sixth minute when he fed the ball up to White along the left side of the penalty area. White's shot hit the post and Cordeiro got his head on the ball after the rebound, but sent the attempt just wide left. Just seconds later, Pezza nailed the crossbar with his, further fueling UConn's offensive effort.
Their work paid quickly as the Huskies put their first tally on the board midway through the ninth minute. Pezza played the ball to Priestley on the right side, who turned and fired a centering pass to White who waited just five yards out from the middle of the goal mouth. White effortlessly poked the ball by the Griffs goalkeeper, Adam Catley to put the Huskies on the board.
UConn continued its steady attack and found the back of the net once again just over five minutes later, following a foul by the Griffs. Pezza handled the restart from just north of the penalty area, sending in to White, who headed it into goal to the put the Huskies on top 2-0.
The lead was stretched to three in the 31st minute when Chijindu scored off assists from Pezza and Schilling.
Play settled for the remainder of the half, but the Huskies started anew following the intermission. Priestley, White and Cordeiro each had shots in the first 10 minutes of the second stanza, but Catley came up with several key saves for the Griffs.
Catley finished the night with 11 saves.
Head coach Ray Reid started to clear the bench in the 60th minute and the fresh-legged Huskies kept Canisius at bay for for nearly 20 minutes. The Griffs converted on a penalty kick opportunity following a foul in the box early in the 80th minute to break the shutout and bring the score to 3-1. The comeback attempt continued with a goal in the 84th minute from Adam Studniark off assists from Simba Aberdeen and Alan McGreal.
The starting lineup was then reinstituted for the Huskies and Canisius was shut down for the remaining six-plus minutes of play.
The Huskies return to action Sunday night at 7:00 p.m. against Stony Brook. The Seawolves fell to Seton Hall, 2-0, Friday night.
Goals by period 1 2 Tot
Canisius 0 2 2
Connecticut 3 0 3
SCORING SUMMARY:
1 8:32 UCONN WHITE, O'Brian (1) (PRIESTLEY, Akeem;PEZZA, Mike)
2 13:53 UCONN WHITE, O'Brian (2) (PEZZA, Mike)
3 30:24 UCONN CHIJINDU, Chukwudi (1) (PEZZA, Mike;SCHILLING, Karl)
4 79:08 CAN McGreal, Alan (1) Penalty kick
5 83:03 CAN Studniarek, Adam (1) (Aberdeen, Simba;McGreal, Alan)
Shots: Canisius 2, Connecticut 22
Saves: Canisius 11 (Catley, Adam 11), Connecticut 0
