Chime Scores Twice as Huskies Win Season Opener

Friday, August 27

Storrs, Conn.

7:00pm

University of Connecticut

1-0-0, 0-0-0

Bryant University

0-1-0, 0-0-0

Bryant

UConn

8/27/2021 9:58:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score Photo Gallery

STORRS, Conn. – The UConn men's soccer team (1-0) kicked off the season with a 3-0 victory over Bryant on Friday night at Morrone Stadium.

The Huskies got rolling early on, scoring just three minutes into the match. Sophomore Thomas Decottignies' cross from the right side found fellow sophomore Moussa Wade at the back post, who then centered the ball to freshman Okem Chime. With a right footed effort, Chime converted from close range to give UConn a 1-0 lead.

UConn continued to create chances, even hitting the woodwork. In the tenth minute, Wade's shot from bad angle on the goal line hits the inside of the post and the rebound finds Vaccaro at the top of the box, shot over the bar.

Bryant had a chance from close range to equalize, but graduate student Jahmali Waite made a beautiful right foot, point-blank save to keep the Huskies ahead 1-0. Freshman Mateo Leveque made his Husky debut and was able to find space and create several chances, but nothing found the back of the net.

The second half did not see many scoring chances early on, but UConn soon gained control of the game and began creating chances. In the 61^st minute, Leveque had UConn's first chance of the half, a shot from outside the box that went just wide of the post. Just a few minutes later, in the 68^th minute, Wade's corner kick find Leveque at the back post. His in-swinging cross finds Chime who heads in his and UConn's second goal of the night.

Leveque would get his goal in the 81^st minute, after sophomore Jayden Reid's through ball found Chime in the box. After beating the goalkeeper, Chime's effort was cleared off the goal line, with the rebound finding Leveque, who then ripped a shot from the right side of the box that found the net, securing a 3-0 victory for the Huskies.

"It was a great start for us and I'm just happy I can contribute to the win," said Chime, after the match.

"We are a really tight knit group and there are a lot of great characters here. We are feeling good and looking forward to string some good play together and hopefully get the results."

Up Next

The Huskies host Rhode Island on Friday, September 3^rd at Morrone Stadium at the Rizza Family Sports Complex. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00pm.