University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
7-2-2; 2-0-2
University of Central Florida
8-2-2; 2-1-1
No. 12 UConn and No. 19 UCF Battle to Scoreless Draw
10/12/2018 8:21:00 PM | Men's Soccer
ORLANDO, Fla. – Playing in humid conditions, the UConn men's soccer team (7-2-2) battled the UCF Knights (8-2-2) to a scoreless double-overtime draw in a Friday afternoon contest between the American's top two teams.
The game proved to be an even matchup. It was clear from the get-go that both squads were sticking to the scouting report, as the game maintained a pretty even pace with neither team being able to step on the gas. UCF finished the game with a 19-11 shot advantage.
Cal Jennings, who entered the game with 14 goals, fired off an attempt that sailed wide just two minutes into the match. That would be the last easy look Jennings got the rest of the afternoon, as the Huskies began sending multiple defenders at Jennings each time he touched the pill.
UConn had two great opportunities to jump out in front during the first half. The first, and best overall, scoring chance came in the 11th minute. As he was dribbling the ball on the break, Abdou Mbacke Thiam was tripped up by a UCF defender, yet was able to get off a quality attempt that was saved by the Knight's keeper. Ten minutes later, Mbacke Thiam had another scoring opportunity on the break and fired a dart from way outside the box, but the shot attempt sailed wide left.
The UConn backline had a supreme defensive stand at the 35-minute mark of the first period. On the attack, Mauricio Villalobos was able to draw out Austin Aviza from the goalie box – just when it appeared that UCF would take the lead, Dylan Greenberg came over from the left side of the pitch and kicked the ball out of bounds, preventing a score. At the half, both teams were tied nil-nil, despite UCF holding a 10-2 shot advantage.
The defensive pressure ramped up in the second-half, and the Huskies' strategy of staying back in the blocks and not overplaying on the UCF attacks began to pay dividends as the Knights started to wear down and the tide started to turn in UConn's favor – they held UCF to just one shot-on-goal.
The Huskies had two more chances to take the lead in the second session, with the first occurring in the 52nd minute. After the defense forced a turnover, UConn had a three-on-two fast break opportunity but were unable to capitalize after Mbacke Thiam's attempt missed wide.
After neither offense could muster up a quality shot for almost 30 minutes, the Huskies had an opportunity to win the game in the last two minutes. Taking the feed from Cole Venner, Josh Burnett beat his defender and used a dribble move to gain an advantage on the UCF keeper, but a slight hesitation before the shot attempt allowed him to recover and save the ball before just before it crossed the goal-line.
In the extra session, neither team was able to get off a quality attempt, finishing the game in a tie and leaving the match with one point in the AAC standings.
Game Notes:
- Austin Aviza patrolled the post with precision as he recorded three saves.
- The game featured 24 fouls (UCF 18, UConn 6).
Next Up:
UConn returns home to host Boston College in the second-to-last nonconference game of the season. The match was originally scheduled to be played on Sept. 18 but inclement field conditions caused for a rescheduling. Tuesday's match is a WHITE OUT. White t-shirts will be hand out and student season ticket holders will receive scarves at the game.
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