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No. 14 Men's Soccer Knocks Off 15th-Ranked South Carolina, 3-0
Box Score [pdf] [html]
Updated Stats [pdf] [html]
STORRS, Conn. (September 7, 2007) - O'Brian White (Scarborough, Ontario) scored two goals and Chukwudi Chijindu (Fontana, Calif.) added another as the No. 14 University of Connecticut men's soccer team rolled over 15th-ranked South Carolina, 3-0, Friday night in the UConn/adidas Classic at Joseph J. Morrone Stadium.
With the win, the Huskies improve to 3-0 on the year, while the Gamecocks dip to 2-1.
South Carolina put on the pressure early, tallying a quick shot and playing at a much more frenzied pace than the Huskies' previous opponents. UConn quickly rose to the occasion, however, and shut down the Gamecocks the rest of the way with a 12-1 shot advantage in the first half and a 20-3 margin overall.
Akeem Priestley (Kingston, Jamaica) got UConn's attack firing with back-to-back shots in the 24th minute, setting the pace for White's goal a few minutes later. Ryan Cordeiro (Highland Mills, N.Y.) brought the ball downfield and passed it to White who collected the ball about 30 yards out from the goal along the left sideline. From there, White chipped the ball into the upper right corner of the net and secured the 1-0 lead for the Huskies.
Chijindu then stretched the lead to two with his second goal of the year late in the period. South Carolina's goalkeeper, Jimmy Maurer, broke up a cross attempt by White, but sent the ball back into play on the left side of the goal box. Chijindu quickly capitalized on the rebounded ball and sent it into the back of the net at the 43:23 mark.
Maurer tallied five saves in the first half and nine overall for the Gamecocks.
A frustrated South Carolina team tried to mount a comeback in the second half, but the Huskies were simply not deterred. The Gamecocks committed 12 fouls in the second period, compared to just five by UConn, and nearly cleared their bench in the 69th minute to put in fresh-legged players; however, the Huskies kept the upper hand.
After a steady barrage of shots, UConn scored their third goal of the night in the 74th minute. Mike Pezza (Jackson, N.J.) sent the ball into the middle of the box off a restart, spurring a scramble in front of the goal mouth. White took control of the loose ball and stuffed into the top of the net to account for the third and final goal of the night.
The Huskies return to action tomorrow night at 7 p.m. against Florida International in the final game of the UConn/adidas Classic. The Golden Panthers fell to South Florida, 1-0, Friday afternoon in Morrone Stadium. South Florida and South Carolina will take to the field tomorrow at 4:00 p.m.
Goals by period 1 2 Tot
South Carolina 0 0 0
Connecticut 2 1 3
SCORING SUMMARY:
1 27:07 UCONN WHITE, O'Brian (4) (CORDEIRO, Ryan)
2 43:23 UCONN CHIJINDU, Chukwudi (2) (unassisted)
3 73:43 UCONN WHITE, O'Brian (5) (unassisted)
Shots: South Carolina 3, Connecticut 20
Saves: South Carolina 9 (Maurer, Jimmy 9), Connecticut 1 (FORD, Josh)
Box Score [pdf] [html]
Updated Stats [pdf] [html]
STORRS, Conn. (September 7, 2007) - O'Brian White (Scarborough, Ontario) scored two goals and Chukwudi Chijindu (Fontana, Calif.) added another as the No. 14 University of Connecticut men's soccer team rolled over 15th-ranked South Carolina, 3-0, Friday night in the UConn/adidas Classic at Joseph J. Morrone Stadium.
With the win, the Huskies improve to 3-0 on the year, while the Gamecocks dip to 2-1.
South Carolina put on the pressure early, tallying a quick shot and playing at a much more frenzied pace than the Huskies' previous opponents. UConn quickly rose to the occasion, however, and shut down the Gamecocks the rest of the way with a 12-1 shot advantage in the first half and a 20-3 margin overall.
Akeem Priestley (Kingston, Jamaica) got UConn's attack firing with back-to-back shots in the 24th minute, setting the pace for White's goal a few minutes later. Ryan Cordeiro (Highland Mills, N.Y.) brought the ball downfield and passed it to White who collected the ball about 30 yards out from the goal along the left sideline. From there, White chipped the ball into the upper right corner of the net and secured the 1-0 lead for the Huskies.
Chijindu then stretched the lead to two with his second goal of the year late in the period. South Carolina's goalkeeper, Jimmy Maurer, broke up a cross attempt by White, but sent the ball back into play on the left side of the goal box. Chijindu quickly capitalized on the rebounded ball and sent it into the back of the net at the 43:23 mark.
Maurer tallied five saves in the first half and nine overall for the Gamecocks.
A frustrated South Carolina team tried to mount a comeback in the second half, but the Huskies were simply not deterred. The Gamecocks committed 12 fouls in the second period, compared to just five by UConn, and nearly cleared their bench in the 69th minute to put in fresh-legged players; however, the Huskies kept the upper hand.
After a steady barrage of shots, UConn scored their third goal of the night in the 74th minute. Mike Pezza (Jackson, N.J.) sent the ball into the middle of the box off a restart, spurring a scramble in front of the goal mouth. White took control of the loose ball and stuffed into the top of the net to account for the third and final goal of the night.
The Huskies return to action tomorrow night at 7 p.m. against Florida International in the final game of the UConn/adidas Classic. The Golden Panthers fell to South Florida, 1-0, Friday afternoon in Morrone Stadium. South Florida and South Carolina will take to the field tomorrow at 4:00 p.m.
Goals by period 1 2 Tot
South Carolina 0 0 0
Connecticut 2 1 3
SCORING SUMMARY:
1 27:07 UCONN WHITE, O'Brian (4) (CORDEIRO, Ryan)
2 43:23 UCONN CHIJINDU, Chukwudi (2) (unassisted)
3 73:43 UCONN WHITE, O'Brian (5) (unassisted)
Shots: South Carolina 3, Connecticut 20
Saves: South Carolina 9 (Maurer, Jimmy 9), Connecticut 1 (FORD, Josh)
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