UConn Drops Double-Overtime Heartbreaker to UCF in the AAC Men’s Soccer Championships.

Thursday, November 8

Orlando, Fla.

7:00 P.M.

University of Connecticut

11-5-2; 3-2-2

University of Central Florida

13-2-2; 5-1-1

OT 3

OT 4

Connecticut

UCF

Photo by: Stephen Slade

UConn Drops Double-Overtime Heartbreaker to UCF in the AAC Men’s Soccer Championships.

11/8/2018 11:02:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

ORLANDO, Fla. - The semifinals of the AAC Men's Soccer Championships lived up to its billing. Both teams played physical defense (24 combined fouls were committed) while the offenses moved the ball up and down the pitch. Despite an evenly played game on the stat sheet, it was the Huskies who received the short end of the stick, dropping a 3-2 double overtime decision.

A semifinal matchup that was scoreless, physical and tightly contested for much of the first half turned UConn's way in the 30^th minute. Ibrahima Diop intercepted a pass at the half-way line and dished the ball ahead to Felix Metzler, who then sent a pass ahead to a streaking Josh Burnett. Burnett found the one-on-one match (with the UCF keeper) that he was looking for and placed the ball into the back of the net to give the Huskies a 1-0.

UConn extended its lead to 2-nil in the 43^rd minute in a sequence that began off another interception, this time from Dayonn Harris. Following the interception, Harris dribbled the ball up the right flank and sent a cross pass over to the opposite side of the field. After the pass was initially deflected, Mbacke Thiam gathered the ball inside the box and fired a shot into the far side of the net. UConn would take a 2-0 lead into the half.

UCF cut into the Husky lead just three minutes into the second half after Yoni Sorokin headed home a volley from Cal Jennings.

Following another 20 minutes of action that resided mostly in the midfield, the Knights added another goal in the 82^nd minute to tie the game at 2-2 after Jennings posted up his defender, spun to the left and scored.

The Huskies had a chance to win the game in regulation, but Cole Venner's shot at 86:49 missed just wide of the net.

The overtime periods proved to be just as physical, if not more, as regulation – six fouls and two yellow cards were handed out. With 15 seconds remaining it appeared UConn and UCF would be headed for penalty kicks to decide the game, but the Knights received a lucky bounce on a free kick to win the game, 3-2.