Chime Nets Winner in Extra Time

Saturday, September 11

Storrs, Conn.

7:00pm

University of Connecticut

2-1-0, 0-0-0

Monmouth University

2-1-1, 0-0-0

Monmouth

UConn

9/11/2021 9:59:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

STORRS, Conn. – Freshman Okem Chime scored the game winning goal in the second half of extra time as UConn defeated Monmouth 1-0 at Morrone Stadium on Saturday night. The Huskies improve to 2-1 on the season.

UConn's first real chance came in the 14^th minute, as sophomore Moussa Wade found freshman Mateo Leveque open at the top of the box. Leveque's left footed effort was stopped by the Monmouth goalkeeper. The Huskies would get another great opportunity in the 16^th minute, as Wade cut the ball back to the penalty spot where Dom Laws' shot was blocked by the Monmouth defense.

In the 22^nd minute, freshman Giancarlo Vaccaro's quick turn opened space before he was taken down on the left side of the field. The ensuing free kick was taken by Moussa Wade, which went just wide of the post after taking a deflection. The Huskies continued to pressure as Wade created yet another scoring chance in the 25^th minute, as his shot went through traffic before Okem Chime's redirected effort was saved.

Dom Laws had another chance to put the Huskies ahead in the 30^th minute. Sophomore Thomas Decottignies whipped in a curling cross from the ride side that found Laws at the back post, but his header went over the bar. Leveque would step up to take a direct free kick from 20 yards out in the 39^th minute, but his effort was saved. The half would end scoreless with the shots 10-3 in favor of UConn.

The Huskies started the second half with plenty of possession and an early chance to take the lead. Okem Chime got through the Monmouth defense on a breakaway in the 55^th minute, but his attempt was saved. UConn would get another golden chance in the 69^th minute as Mateo Leveque's strike from the top of the box forced a diving save from the Monmouth goalkeeper, who pushed the ball away for a corner.

Graduate student Jahmali Waite made an important save in the 72^nd minute, diving across to keep a Monmouth shot out and keep the Huskies level. UConn kept possession in the final 15 minutes of the half but could not generate many chances until the 86^th minute where Dom Laws' cross just missed sophomore Jayden Reid at the back post. That would be the last chance of regulation for UConn, as the teams headed to extra time.

The Huskies found a winner in the 106^th minute after Okem Chime converted the rebound following Moussa Wade's free kick. "We knew if we just kept playing our game and doing what we do, good things would happen," said Chime.

"I was going to take one chance and I knew before that free kick the ball was going to be bouncing around in the box. It fell to me, and it went in, so I'm happy. It's a massive result for us, we had chances all night and were finally able to get the winner."

Jahmali Waite would finish the game with five saves to earn the clean sheet, his second of the season.

Up Next

UConn returns to action on Tuesday, September 14^th to take on Yale. Kickoff is slated for 7pm at Morrone Stadium.