University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
8-3
Villanova University
8-4
Huskies Take Home Win in First BIG EAST Game
4/5/2023 4:27:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
VILLANOVA, Penn. – The UConn Women's Lacrosse team took home a win in their first BIG EAST matchup of the season against Villanova. The Huskies opened their conference play with a road game to Pennsylvania.
The first quarter of the game started with the Huskies and Wildcats going back-and-forth until the final minute. Villanova put points up on the board first with a goal at 12:25, which was quickly answered by junior, Morgan Carter, to even the score early. Sami Carey on Villanova scored at 9:29, which was answered by Grace Coon's first goal of the game. Villanova would then score another goal before senior, Kyra Place, gave the Huskies their first lead of the game. At 5:00 left on the clock, Villanova's Jenna Greason scored on a ball that just rolled over the line and away from goalkeeper, Landyn White. At 2:09 Grace Coon scored, with an assist from Sophie Sorenson. And Lia LaPrise ended the first quarter with a free position goal with less than a minute on the clock.
Villanova came out hot in the second quarter scoring the first goal early. The Huskies then went on an unanswered scoring run from LaPrise, Place, Kate Shaffer, Lafountain, and three notched from Coon before the half was over.
The Huskies started the second half with a free position goal from Shaffer, her second of the game. Sophie Sorenson added to UConn's lead with a goal at 8:39. Villanova finally scored again at 7:33 on the clock, ending the unanswered scoring spree for the Huskies. LaPrise would then score back-to-back to keep the clock running at 16-6. Villanova's Isabella Francati scored under two minutes to stop the clock for the Wildcats. Junior, Lauren Barry, scored her first goal of the game as the clock ran out in the third quarter.
Francati scored within the first minute of the final quarter to stop the clock once again. Madelyn George notched her first goal of the game shortly after. The wildcats then went for three in a row to keep the game within seven. UConn's Barry scored with less than two minutes to go to solidify a Husky win.
The direction of the game was dictated early on, when UConn won the first 9 draws straight out of the gate. Seniors, George and Ariana Kline had 7 and 8 draw controls, respecively. Kline had a career high draw controls in a single game and surpassed 100 career draws. UConn's defense came up big with seven caused turnovers and 19 ground balls. Grad student goalkeeper, Landyn White, totaled nine saves in the victory.
The Huskies will return home to Storrs to take on #3 Denver on Saturday, April 8th at noon. The team is hosting a Youth Day for their second conference matchup of the season.
