University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
4-2-1, 0-0-0
Yale
3-3-1, 0-0-0
WSOC Shows Grit in 2-1 Victory vs. Yale
9/16/2022 9:41:00 PM | Women's Soccer
STORRS, Conn. - The UConn women's soccer team (4-2-1) notched its grittiest win of the season on Friday night in front of 2908 fans at Morrone Stadium.
The Huskies lost starting goalkeeper Kaitlyn Mahoney to injury prior to the start of the match and called on MaryKate Ward to make the start in goal.
Just 13 minutes into the first half, Ward caught the turf and injured her knee. With freshman goalie Ady Duran already sidelined with injury the Huskies didn't have another goalie to replace Ward.
Ward gutted out the next 33 minutes on one knee and made three saves for the Huskies before having to exit at halftime.
The UConn offense looked to try and help out their back line applying pressure throughout the half, Emma Zaccagnini nearly gave the Huskies the lead with a tough angle try that banged off the far post at 20:36 remaining in the first half.
With the clock ticking towards halftime, Chioma Okafor received a pass in transition, utilized her speed to push it towards the far corner of the box and unleashed a left-footed strike that just missed the target.
Tied 0-0 at the half and Ward battling through injury the Huskies made a change. Midfielder Sophie McCarthy, who hasn't played goalie since before high school, warmed up during halftime and played the second half for the Huskies.
The offense continued to press forward creating numerous opportunities. Just five minutes into the second half the Huskies took the lead.
Cara Elmendorf notched her first career goal as a Husky after a give-and-go opportunity with Abbey Jones. The NC State transfer received the pass and uncorked a left-footed shot that snuck past the keeper.
The Huskies nearly doubled their lead seven minutes later with a Jaydah Bedoya strike that struck the crossbar, the ball landed inside the six and Jada Konte missed the follow up attempt, pushing her shot wide.
Moments later Yale was able to tie it up, 1-1.
Despite all the adversity the Huskies kept pushing forward and looking for a chance to reclaim the lead. With 6:10 on the clock, the Huskies created their 10th corner kick of the night. Senior Cara Jordan delivered a perfect ball into the box that Lucy Cappadona was able to head over the goal line and give UConn a 2-1 lead.
The Huskies then milked the rest of the clock and secured its second-straight win to move to 4-2-1 as they wrap up non-conference play.
Next up, the Huskies head on the road to face Creighton in their BIG EAST opener on Thursday, Sept. 22 at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Team Stats
Cara Elmendorf (1)
Assisted By: Abbey Jones
GOAL by UConn Elmendorf, Cara Assist by Jones, Abbey.
49:51
Ellery Winkler (1)
GOAL by Yale Winkler, Ellery.
59:15
Lucy Cappadona (1)
Assisted By: Cara Jordan
GOAL by UConn Cappadona, Lucy Assist by Jordan, Cara.
83:57
