University of Connecticut Athletics
No. 4 Men's Soccer Shuts Out Hofstra, 2-0
9/12/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
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STORRS, Conn. (September 12, 2007) - Redshirt freshman goalkeeper Josh Ford (Liverpool, N.Y.) tallied a career-high nine saves and his fourth straight shutout as the fourth-ranked University of Connecticut men's soccer team blanked Hofstra, 2-0, Wednesday night at Joseph J. Morrone Stadium. With the win, the Huskies improve to 5-0 on the year heading into BIG EAST play, while the Pride falls to 0-3-1.
Junior O'Brian White (Scarborough, Ontario) scored his team and conference-leading sixth goal and senior Chukwudi Chijindu (Fontana, Calif.) added another off the bench to fuel UConn's most potent attack since the 2002 season. The Huskies have tallied 12 goals through five games, tying the mark set five years ago in the opening five games.
The two teams trading scoring opportunities over the first 30-plus minutes of play until Mike Pezza (Jackson, N.J.) passed the ball over to White from the right side of the penalty area amidst a sea of Hofstra defenders. White got the shot off and sent the ball into the lower left side to put the Huskies on top 1-0 midway through the 30th minute.
Coming out of halftime with the lead for the fourth time this season, UConn turned up the tempo in the second period. Senior captain Ryan Cordeiro (Highland Mills, N.Y.) had two close calls, the first coming early in the 72nd minute when his shot was saved by Hofstra's keeper, Tom Johansen, but allowed back into play with an open goal mouth. After a scramble in the box, the Pride booted the ball back to its side of the field and UConn started its attack once more.
After a few more missed opportunities, Chijindu sealed the deal for UConn with his third goal of the year in the 89th minute of play. White played the ball to him in the midfield and Chijindu took off down the open lane and shot the ball from about 10 yards out into lower right corner.
This is the Huskies fourth straight shutout of the year and fourth multi-goal game. They out-shot Hofstra 18-15 on the day, by far the closest margin of the season for a team that led that race 75-10 coming into Wednesday's game.
The Huskies open the BIG EAST season Saturday by welcoming Georgetown to Morrone Stadium at 7:00 p.m. The Hoyas are 1-3 on the year after falling to third-ranked SMU on Sept. 9.
Saturday also marks the annual SoccerFest celebration and Boy Scout Night with activities scheduled before and during the contest.
Goals by period 1 2 Tot
Hofstra 0 0 0
Connecticut 1 1 2
SCORING SUMMARY:
1 29:33 UCONN WHITE, O'Brian (6) (PEZZA, Mike)
2 88:21 UCONN CHIJINDU, Chukwudi (2) (WHITE, O'Brian)
Shots: Hofstra 15, Connecticut 18
Saves: Hofstra 8 (Johansen, Tom 8), Connecticut 9 (FORD, Josh 9)
