The Huskies appear to be on a steady climb following two conference wins this past week.
After getting off to a rocky start and beginning the season 0-3, UConn is now climbing the ladder to emerge at the top of the Big East. Now, the only team that remains in their way is Denver (2-0).
This past week, the Huskies pulled out some of their most dominant wins against Marquette and Villanova. It was no secret UConn could dominate certain opponents, as they did earlier in the season to Columbia (17-1) and Marist (17-3), but it was just a matter of getting into a steady groove.
In both the Marquette and Villanova contests, the Huskies’ consistency was key. Repeatedly outsourcing their opponents in every quarter and utilizing offensive dexterity from nearly every player was critical for UConn. Against Villanova, nine Huskies scored, and against Marquette, there were six.
There is clearly no shortage of skill on the UConn roster as nearly every player has had a chance in the spotlight.
This weekend, the Huskies will take on Xavier for one of their final conference contests before their season finale in the Big East Championship.
As for the Musketeers, they are battling a tough season (3-8). Falling to the basement of the conference (0-2) and fighting a subpar record has already put the odds in the Huskies’ favor.
Mentality will be another factor in play. Going into this weekend, the Musketeers will be coming off five straight losses whereas UConn is riding the high of a newfound two-game winning streak. Although mentality isn’t everything, it can help boost morale and continue the intensity and high spirits UConn is now enjoying.
While the cards appear to be stacked against the Musketeers, they shouldn’t be counted out as every conference game has the opportunity to produce an upset.
As for their history, Xavier isn’t a familiar competitor for the Huskies. Unlike opponents such as Fairfield and New Hampshire which the Huskies have faced for over a decade, Xavier is a new opponent, as the duo has only gone head-to-head one other time in 2023. In this year’s matchup, neither team has the upper hand in understanding the more personal dynamics of their competitor.
As for their lineup, UConn has a powerhouse of athletes as several players reached milestones in the last contest. Graduate students Kate Shaffer reached and surpassed 150 career goals and Maddy George reached and surpassed 250 career draw controls. In goal, Landyn White surpassed 400 career saves and program record total wins as a goalie.
Without a doubt, UConn has quickly emerged as a strong conference competitor and will likely force Xavier onto their toes early on. If the Huskies can continue to capitalize on their offensive dexterity with White remaining a steel trap in goal, all signs point to success.
The opening draw is scheduled for Saturday at noon in Cincinnati.