University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
Maryland
No. 2 Huskies Edged by No. 6 Maryland 1-0
10/5/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Oct. 5, 2010
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The No. 2 UConn men's soccer team picked up its first loss of the 2010 season as the No. 6 Maryland Terrapins edged the Huskies' 1-0 on Tuesday night at Ludwig Field.
With the loss, the Huskies fall to 7-1-2 overall, while Maryland improves to 6-2-1 on the year. UConn has outscored its opponents 26-4 on the year despite being shutout for the first time all season.
Tonight's non-conference contest had a College Cup match feeling as the nationally-ranked foes played in front of a crowd of 1,450 on a cool night in College Park, Md.
After coming off a 2-0 win over nationally-ranked Duke, Maryland outshot the Huskies 17-13 overall in the contest but the Huskies took a 7-5 clip in the second half of play. Josh Ford finished the night with three saves in his 75th consecutive start in goal for the Huskies.
Tony Cascio started things off in tonight's contest, recording UConn's first shot of the night as he made a nice move past two defenders and got his left foot on the ball in the fifth minute but missed wide right of the target.
In the 35th minute of the contest, Maryland took a 1-0 lead as Patrick Mullins headed the ball past a diving Ford. Ford made a valiant effort but Mullins was able to place the ball in the bottom far corner of the net for the eventual game winner.
In the second half of play, UConn took control of the game, outshooting Maryland 7-5. The Huskies had some good looks in the half led by Jossimar Sanchez, who recorded a season-high four shots, while one was positioned on goal. Cascio finished the night with four shots as well as his best look at the net came off a corner kick by Carlos Alvarez in the 54th minute. After the junior's shot deflected off of the Maryland goalkeeper, a Terps' defender was there to make the save.
Alan Ponce registered his first shot of the night on goal as his attempt in the 79th minute was grabbed by Maryland goalkeeper Zac MacMath for his fourth stop of the match.
With less than four minutes left in the contest, MacMath came out of the box for the ball just as Cascio was able to get a foot on it but his shot soared high, keeping the Terps up by one late in the game. Stephane Diop recorded his second shot of the night as his attempt missed just inches high of the cross bar in the 88th minute.
Maryland was the fourth ranked-opponent that the Huskies have faced this season and the first that UConn played on the road.
The Huskies will return to Storrs to host Seton Hall on Saturday, Oct. 9 in BIG EAST Conference action. The match is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. in Morrone Stadium.
