Offensive Outburst Lifts UConn vs. Ole Miss, 4-3

Friday, September 7

Fayetteville, AR

5:00 PM

University of Connecticut

2-5-0

Ole Miss

5-2-0

UConn

Ole Miss

Photo by: Stephen Slade

9/7/2018 7:51:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The UConn women's soccer team snapped out of an offensive slump in a big way on Friday afternoon by scoring four goals en route to a 4-3 win against Ole Miss.

UConn entered the match with a three-game scoreless streak dating back to its last win vs. CCSU (Aug. 23) but the Huskies broke out with a season-high four tallies, the most for a UConn team since Nov. 12, 2016 in the NCAA Tournament vs Albany (4-2).

Junior Erin Spillane had quite a day for the Huskies by recording her first career brace and put UConn on top in the fifth minute. Spillane received a pass from sophomore Melina Couzis that the Rebels defense could not clear out. The River Vale, N.J. native chipped it over a charging keeper to make it 1-0 Huskies. It was the first time this season that UConn scored first.

Freshman Izzy Lynch hit a milestone by scoring her first career goal, a one-timer from about 10 yards out off a pass from Couzis that gave UConn a two-goal advantage in the 17^th minute. It marked the first career multi-assist game for Couzis.

UConn quickly extended the lead to 3-0 just over two minutes later. Senior Elena Santos found Sophia Danyko-Kulchycky on the right side of the box and the sophomore cashed in her third goal of the season.

With hot playing conditions and a game looming less than 48 hours away on Sunday, the Huskies utilized 18 players on Friday. 17 players recorded 15 minutes or more on the pitch.

Ole Miss, a team receiving top 25 votes this week, would not go quietly. The Rebels grabbed a goal late in the first half and then scored just two minutes into the second half to make it a 3-2 game.

Spillane and the Huskies responded with an insurance goal at 51:33. Spillane rifled a one-timer from Zoe Steck past the keeper to push the Huskies' lead back to two, 4-2.

Ole Miss made it 4-3 at 80:50 but could never find an equalizer. In the final moments, Ole Miss earned a corner kick and had one last chance but the UConn defense held on and UConn captured a must-needed win.

The Huskies move to 2-5 on the season and carry momentum into a Sunday matchup against Arkansas at 2 p.m. EST

Notes

The Huskies doubled their season goal total with four tallies on Friday evening.

UConn is 6-4 all-time against SEC opponents.

Freshman Halle Palmedo made her first career start on the UConn backline on Friday.