University of Connecticut Athletics
Saturday, August 18
7:00 P.M.
University of Connecticut
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Syracuse University
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Syracuse
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UConn
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Huskies Play to Scoreless Draw with Syracuse
8/18/2018 2:26:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Season-Opener on Friday vs. Lehigh.
PORTLAND, Conn. – The UConn men's soccer team wrapped-up preseason play on Saturday morning with a scoreless draw against Syracuse at Oakwood Soccer Park – an altered location due to expected inclement weather later in the day.
The Huskies and Orange played evenly throughout the morning, with each team having good scoring chances, resulting in both sides posting 11 shots in the contest. Five newcomers saw playing time for UConn.
The best scoring opportunity for UConn came in the 66th minute, as freshman midfielder Steffen Yeates stole the ball in the backfield from Syracuse midfielder Hugo Delhommelle, but had his ensuing shot smothered by goalkeeper Hendrik Hilpert. Freshman forward Ibrahima Diop gathered the rebound for the Huskies and fired a shot off the post, keeping the game scoreless.
It appeared UConn took the lead in the 63rd minute when senior forward Abdou Mbacke Thiam scored off a pass in the box from redshirt junior forward Dayonn Harris, but an offsides call nixed the tally.
For the second-straight match, redshirt junior Austin Aviza and freshman Gianluca Catalano split time at goalkeeper – with each logging 45 minutes on Saturday. The duo combined for seven saves.
Aviza, the former Syracuse goalie who transferred to UConn prior to the 2017 season, made back-to-back diving saves in the 34th minute on a Syracuse breakaway. He totaled four saves in the first half, while Catalano recorded three, in the shutout.
Sophomore defender Robin Lapert made a strong impression in his start at defense alongside senior defender Jacob Hauser-Ramsey, accounting for several key denials on Syracuse attacks. His effort in the backfield, along with redshirt senior Dylan Greenberg and junior Munir Saleh, kept the Orange off the scoreboard.
The Huskies officially open the 2018 season on Friday night against Lehigh. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Joseph J. Morrone Stadium.
The Huskies and Orange played evenly throughout the morning, with each team having good scoring chances, resulting in both sides posting 11 shots in the contest. Five newcomers saw playing time for UConn.
The best scoring opportunity for UConn came in the 66th minute, as freshman midfielder Steffen Yeates stole the ball in the backfield from Syracuse midfielder Hugo Delhommelle, but had his ensuing shot smothered by goalkeeper Hendrik Hilpert. Freshman forward Ibrahima Diop gathered the rebound for the Huskies and fired a shot off the post, keeping the game scoreless.
It appeared UConn took the lead in the 63rd minute when senior forward Abdou Mbacke Thiam scored off a pass in the box from redshirt junior forward Dayonn Harris, but an offsides call nixed the tally.
For the second-straight match, redshirt junior Austin Aviza and freshman Gianluca Catalano split time at goalkeeper – with each logging 45 minutes on Saturday. The duo combined for seven saves.
Aviza, the former Syracuse goalie who transferred to UConn prior to the 2017 season, made back-to-back diving saves in the 34th minute on a Syracuse breakaway. He totaled four saves in the first half, while Catalano recorded three, in the shutout.
Sophomore defender Robin Lapert made a strong impression in his start at defense alongside senior defender Jacob Hauser-Ramsey, accounting for several key denials on Syracuse attacks. His effort in the backfield, along with redshirt senior Dylan Greenberg and junior Munir Saleh, kept the Orange off the scoreboard.
The Huskies officially open the 2018 season on Friday night against Lehigh. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Joseph J. Morrone Stadium.
Team Stats
SU
UCONN
Goals
0
0
Shots
0
11
Shots on Goal
7
3
Saves
3
7
Corners
6
2
Fouls
12
7
Game Leaders
Shots
3
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
Goalkeeper
/ Men's Soccer
Goalkeeper
/ Men's Soccer
Forward
/ Men's Soccer
Defense
/ Men's SoccerForward
/ Men's Soccer
Defense
/ Men's SoccerDefense
/ Men's Soccer
Midfield
/ Men's Soccer
Midfield
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