UConn sophomore defender Elliott Ackroyd dribbles up the field against St. Francis College during the Huskies’ game at Joseph J. Morrone Stadium on Friday, Aug. 28, 2015. (Amar Batra/The Daily Campus)
After starting the season with two home draws, the UConn men’s soccer team will take on Dartmouth Friday evening. The Huskies (0-0-2) will kick off at 7 p.m. at Joseph J. Morrone Stadium against the defending Ivy League champions.
It has been an offensive struggle thus far for the Huskies. They have yet to score a goal this season, tying 0-0 against both St. Francis and Quinnipiac. Against QU, UConn was able to generate 12 shots, including five on goal, but were unable to find the back of the net.
Despite the lack of results, coach Ray Reid seemed encouraged about the offense.
“We moved the ball. We were dangerous. This is no excuse, you got two juniors playing and probably four or five guys that started last year. It is going to take a little bit of time,” Reid said.
Thankfully, the defensive backline has stood strong. The Huskies have not conceded an opposing run-of-play goal in their last 687, a streak that dates back to October 2014. Redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Scott Levene was placed on the American Athletic Conference Honor Roll last week for notching his sixth straight shutout. Levene has recorded a clean sheet in 10 of his 13 career starts.
Friday’s contest will be the 43rd all-time meeting between the two programs, dating back to 1935. The Huskies lead the all time series 24-16-2, including a 2-1 OT victory in their last meeting in 2012.
Dartmouth is coming off an Ivy League championship season and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament. This will be their first game of the season.
Friday’s match will be the end of UConn’s season opening homestand. Morrone Stadium has been a friendly hunting ground for the Huskies, going 4-0-2 in their last six matches.
Dartmouth represents the toughest test for the Huskies so far in this young season. Although the goals aren’t there yet, captain Kwame Awuah seemed encouraged about his team’s prospects.
“Fans come to see goals, to see entertainment,” Awuah said after Monday’s game. “So to not have goals in 220 minutes is sort of a problem…we’re just trying to get comfortable up front and give them as many opportunities to score. Once (we) start scoring we’ll get going.”
The Huskies will take on the Big Green Friday evening at Morrono Stadium.
Elan-Paolo DeCarlo is a staff writer for The Daily Campus. He can be reached via email at elan-paolo.decarlo@uconn.edu. He tweets @ElanDeCarlo.
