Huskies Lose to Syracuse, 2-1, in Home Opener

Monday, August 20

Joseph J. Morrone Stadium - Storrs, Conn.

6:00 PM

University of Connecticut

0-2-0

Syracuse

1-1-0

Syracuse

UConn

8/20/2018 10:17:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Photo Gallery

STORRS, Conn. - On a fall-like evening on the UConn campus, the women's soccer team battled back from an early deficit but ultimately fell 2-1 to Syracuse during it's home opener.

Syracuse scored an early tally in the eighth minute but the Huskies responded immediately with a goal in the 10th minute. Senior Elena Santos freed up Sophia Danyo-Kulchycky with a pass at the top of the box. The sophomore striker crossed up the Syracuse goalkeeper and scored on an empty net. It was the first career goal for the Chappaqua, N.Y. native.

Neither team was able to capitalize the remainder of the half but both had their opportunities. In the 31^st minute, senior midfield Kim Urbanek created space at the top of the box and lofted a shot towards the upper right corner of the goal. The ball banged off the post and the Orange players were able to clear it out.

The Orange nearly had a scoring opportunity of their own with a pass up ahead to a streaking forward. However, UConn senior defender Liane Keegans challenged with a great sliding tackle to stymie the threat.

Syracuse created more chances than UConn in the second half with an 11-6 shot advantage. Senior defender Heidi Druehl kept the game tied with a sliding clearance on a ball headed towards the goal line.

Syracuse finally took the lead in the 64^th minute on a Kate Hostage header, her first tally of the season.

UConn falls to 0-2 on the young season and look to regroup on Thursday, Aug. 23 at 7 p.m. against Central Connecticut State at Joseph J. Morrone Stadium. Tickets can be purchases HERE or you can call the UConn ticket office at 1-877-AT-UConn (1-877-288-2666).

Notes
Sophia Danyko-Kulchycky scored her first career goal on Monday night. The sophomore accumulated five goals in the preseason.

Elena Santos notched her first assist of the year and fourth of her UConn career.

UConn opened the 2017 season with a 0-3-1 record but rebounded with a 7-6-2 finish to the year.