University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
1-1
Fairfield University
1-1
WSOC Captures 3-0 Win in Home Opener
8/25/2019 9:01:00 PM | Women's Soccer
WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The UConn women's soccer team notched its first win of the 2019 season with a 3-0 victory in the team's home opener against Fairfield on Sunday night at Al-Marzook Field, on the campus of the University of Hartford. The Huskies move to 1-1 on the season.
Kess Elmore (Liverpool, England) and Vivien Beil (Jena, Germany) each recorded a goal in the win, a satisfying accomplishment for the duo that rehabbed ACL injuries together during the entire 2018 season.
Elmore struck first on a through ball from Alana Moore in the 11th minute of the first half. Elmore raced ahead and slipped a shot past the keeper to give UConn its first lead of the season. Beil's goal capped the scoring for the Huskies in the 71st minute to pull away with a 3-0 lead.
Redshirt junior Randi Palacios was big in goal for the Huskies making numerous big time saves to keep the Huskies ahead. In the 34th minute, with the Huskies leading 1-0, the UConn defense turned the ball over in their defensive half and Palacios made a sprawling save on a breakaway attempt. Moments later, Palacios leapt up and knocked a shot away that nearly snuck its way under the crossbar.
Sophomore Kara Long helped out of the defensive line with a spectacular play on the goal line to take a goal off the board for the Stags. The attacking player for Fairfield was able to maneuver around Palacios near the end line and create an open goal opportunity. However, Long was able to head the chance away and eventually Palacios was able to cover up to keep UConn ahead 1-0.
Melina Couzis and the UConn offense quickly countered with an opportunity of their own and the junior midfielder was able to loft a shot over a leaping attempt for the Fairfield keeper. It was the first career goal for the Baldwin Place, N.Y. native.
Next up, the Huskies head to New Britain, Conn. on Thursday, August 29 against CCSU at 7 p.m.
Notes
- Palacios recorded her third career shutout with four saves on the night.
- The Huskies scored three goals for the first time in 2019. UConn had four matches in 2018 in which they scored at least three goals.
- Melina Couzis scored her first collegiate goal with her tally in the 63rd minute
Team Stats
ELMORE, Kess (2)
Assisted By: MOORE, Alana
10 slots pass ahead to 7, 7 slides shot
10:13
COUZIS, Melina (1)
Assisted By: ELMORE, Kess
GOAL by UCONN COUZIS, Melina, Assist by ELMORE, Kess, goal number 1 for season.
62:30
BEIL, Vivien (1)
UCONN BEIL, Vivien PENALTY KICK GOAL, goal number 1 for season.
70:13
