University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
1-0-1, 0-0-0
UMASS
1-0-1, 0-0-0
Huskies Tie No. 8 UMASS
8/25/2025 12:18:00 AM | Men's Soccer
STORRS, Conn. – The UConn men's soccer team battled to a 1-1 draw with the UMASS Minutemen on Sunday night in front of a sold-out crowd at Joseph J. Morrone Stadium. The tie moves the Huskies to 1-0-1 this season.
UConn started the match out strong, making UMASS goalkeeper Alex Geczy spur for three saves in the first half.
Redshirt-sophomore goalkeeper Kyle Durham made his second start of the season in between the sticks for the Huskies. Durham made four saves, three coming in the second half.
The game was scoreless at the half with the Huskies leading in shots 4-3.
UMASS found the match's opening goal in the 62nd minute off a corner kick, as Aidan Kelly followed up on a rebound, giving the Minutemen a 1-0 lead.
UConn responded with waves of pressure in their offensive half, forcing two VAR reviews for a potential handball in the box in the 80th and 82nd minutes. The second review was successful for the Huskies, giving UConn a penalty kick. Graduate transfer Balthazar Saunders stepped up to the spot and found the back of the net for the Huskies, his first in a UConn uniform, tying the game at 1-1. Saunders finished with a team high five shots, three being on goal.
Shots were even at six a piece in the second half.
"Our overall performance tonight was somewhat okay, we need to be better, and sharper in some key moments," said head coach Chris Gbandi. "With that being said, anytime you go down a goal, and fight back to get a result, I think you can take something from that."
Coach Gbandi on the sellout crowd - "It was an unbelievable atmosphere tonight for our guys, we can't thank the fans enough for their support. The crowd gave us an extra boost to help us push for that tying goal late, they made a key difference for us."
Up Next
UConn returns to action on Thursday, August 28 as the Huskies head to NJIT. Kickoff is set for 7:00pm and will be streamed on ESPN+.
Team Stats
Aidan Kelly (2)
GOAL by UMASS Kelly, Aidan.
61:16
Balthazar Saunders
Penalty kick awarded to UConn after VAR review.
81:40
