University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
Cincinnati
Thiam's Goal in 79th Minute Lifts UConn Past Cincy
10/7/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
CINCINNATI, Ohio - Junior captain Abdou Mbacke Thiam continued his sensational offensive campaign on Saturday afternoon, scoring a goal in the 79th minute to earn the UConn men's soccer team a gritty 1-0 victory over Cincinnati at Gettler Stadium.
The Huskies (6-3-2, 3-0-0 American) have won their first three games in American Athletic Conference play for the second straight season - rebounding from a 3-2 loss to No. 1/3 Maryland on Monday night at Joseph J. Morrone Stadium.
Redshirt senior goalkeeper Scott Levene played brilliantly against Cincinnati's offensive attack, which generated 11 shots throughout the match. Levene made six saves to secure UConn's conference-best sixth shutout of the season.
UConn and Cincinnati (5-5-1, 0-3-0 American) were scoreless late in the contest on Saturday, until freshman Austin DaSilva played a ball over the top in the box to Thiam - who beat Bearcats' goalkeeper Pearce Skinner to make it 1-0.
For Thiam, it was his team-high seventh goal of the season and he has recorded at least one point in seven of 11 games this year. He has a team-best 15 points and has accumulated five game-winning goals this season, the most of any player in the American.
@Mbacke122 once again comes up big for #UConnMSOC, as his 79th-minute goal leads to a 1-0 @American_MSoc win for the Huskies. #LeaveYourMark pic.twitter.com/R7fbFNIPNx
- UConn Men's Soccer (@UConnMSOC) October 7, 2017
Despite Cincinnati posting more shots (11-8) and corner kicks (6-2), the Huskies took better advantage of their opportunities - eventually breaking through with Thiam's tally. Skinner made a pair of saves for the Bearcats.
Five different players recorded shots for UConn, including a game-high four shots for Thiam. A physical matchup resulted in 28 total fouls throughout the match, including five yellow cards - two to UConn players.
The Huskies had a chance to take an early lead when they were awarded a penalty kick in the 11th minute after a Cincinnati foul. However, freshman Blaise N'Gague's attempt was saved by Pearce, who leaped to his left for the save.
Neither team got off a shot in the final 10 minutes of the first half, leading to a 0-0 tie at the intermission. The Bearcats had some early chances in the second, but were turned away by Levene and UConn's defensive backline.
Later in the half, following a shot that was saved by Levene, Thiam countered with a goal at 78:36 off a pass from DaSilva to give the Huskies a permanent lead. Cincinnati attempted three corner kicks in the final 10 minutes, but each was defended away.
With the win, UConn has now earned nine points in conference play - good for first place in the American. Four conference games remain against USF, UCF, Memphis and SMU, as the Huskies look to maintain their current position in the AAC Tournament.
The Huskies improve to 4-2-3 all-time against Cincinnati and have won four of their last five games, with just one loss in the last eight results.
UConn turns its focus to a big conference matchup on Friday at USF in Tampa, Fla. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. (ET) and it will be broadcast on the American Digital Network. The Bulls were undefeated in league play heading into Saturday.
