Football – Gavin
Gavin Friedman
Campus Correspondent
After an impressive 2022 season that saw the UConn football team in their first bowl game since 2015, they took a step backwards in their 2023 campaign. The Huskies finished with a 3-9 record as a result of several disappointing performances, including a heartbreaking loss to Utah State after the potential game-tying PAT was blocked with 40 seconds left. Starting quarterback Joe Fagnano suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in the second game of the season, leaving Ta’Quan Roberson as the starter for the remainder of the season. Running back Devontae Houston entered the transfer portal after four games, but this led to the emergence of Camryn Edwards who led the team in rushing yards and will likely make a big contribution again this fall. Although 2023 wasn’t exactly the reload the Huskies were hoping for, they will look to get back to a bowl game in 2024.
Men’s Soccer – Bridget
Bridget Bronsdon
Incoming Sports Editor
After nailing a season opener against Holy Cross, victory was in the hands of the men’s soccer team. Despite this early success, the path to the finish line wasn’t a straight shot for the Huskies. After going 9-8-1 overall and 4-4 in the conference, the Huskies were challenged to find their rhythm. A mid-season run granted the group much-needed momentum but quickly pushed them into the second half of a demanding season. Despite falling to Xavier in the regular season finale, the Huskies clinched the No. 5 seed in the conference tournament. The crew went on to upset No. 4 St. John’s in a thrilling 2-1 overtime victory. Days later, the Huskies’ season ended in the second round of the tournament by two late goals from No. 1 Georgetown. Despite this finish, several Huskies received Big East awards, including freshman defender Kieran Chandler.
Women’s Soccer – Nahum
Nahum Valiente
Campus Correspondent
It was an impressive showing for the UConn women’s soccer team this season as they improved from last year’s record. Overall, the group went 10-4-5 and 6-1-3 in the conference. Although the Huskies were just one point shy of sharing the Big East regular season title, they managed to go on a deeper postseason run compared to last year. The first round of the Big East Tournament ended in a thriller when the team’s leading goal scorer, Chioma Okafor, put the Huskies in the lead with just minutes left in the game, sending them to a semi-final match-up against Georgetown. In that match, the Huskies fell 1-0 but kept the game competitive against the co-champions of the Big East. Two Huskies, Jessica Mazo and Okafor, ended the season with places in the All-Conference first team. Additionally, Kaitlyn Mahoney earned the goalkeeper of the year award.
Women’s Basketball – Ava
Ava Inesta
Staff Writer
The UConn women’s basketball team went through a season of adversity and injuries but managed to finish the year with a 33-6 overall record. Having only eight players available in the NCAA March Madness tournament, the Huskies beat all the odds, making their way to the program’s 23rd Final Four appearance. Paige Bueckers, Aaliyah Edwards and Nika Mühl were the three anchors to this team, leading the Huskies to success. Through the year, UConn had many thrillers in facing opponents like Notre Dame, UNC, Syracuse, Duke, USC and Iowa. The Huskies earned the No. 1 seed in the Big East conference and became champions of the Big East Tournament at Mohegan Sun. Bueckers and Edwards were named All-American honors while Mühl earned honorable mention nods. Edwards (Washington Mystics) and Mühl (Seattle Storm) were then drafted to the WNBA in April. Adding No. 1 recruit Sarah Strong, Allie Ziebell, Morgan Cheli and players returning from injury, the UConn women’s basketball team has a bright year ahead of them.
Men’s Basketball – Connor
Connor Sargeant
Men’s Basketball
Incoming Associate Sports Editor
Despite losing Andre Jackson Jr., Adama Sanogo and Jordan Hawkins to the NBA, the 2023-2024 UConn men’s basketball team dominated the college basketball scene at a historic level. Not only did the Huskies run through a loaded out-of-conference schedule that included Texas, UNC and Gonzaga, but the program also avenged last season’s unfinished business by winning the Big East. However, UConn was far from done. Whether it was their 30-0 run against Illinois, blowing out SDSU by 30 points or beating Purdue by 15 to win their sixth national championship in program history, Connecticut ran through March Madness like no one before them. Thanks to the high level of play from the departing class of Tristen Newton, Cam Spencer, Donovan Clingan, Stephon Castle and Alex Karaban, the 2023-2024 season for the UConn Huskies will be one that all UConn fans will remember for the rest of their lives.
Men’s Hockey – Avery
Avery Becker
Campus Correspondent
The UConn men’s hockey team finished their 2023-2024 campaign with a 15-19-2 record. The team kicked off their season with a 4-2 win at Colgate, giving Husky fans a taste of victory, although after that, the team faced many challenges. These obstacles have stemmed from their inability to mount significant offense at times. However, a bright spot from this past season came on Nov. 25, when Connecticut hosted Dartmouth at the XL Center. UConn won 6-1, with five individual players contributing goals. Connecticut’s season ended on a sour note, losing 5-4 in the second round of the Hockey East tournament to Boston College. UConn’s roster will look much different next season with Matthew Wood, Samu Salminen and Arsenii Sergeev entering the transfer portal. Mike Cavanaugh and his staff plan to bring in new freshmen and players from the transfer portal next season. Captain Hudson Schandor and defenseman John Spetz will return to Storrs for a graduate year in hopes of flipping the script next season.
Women’s Hockey – Sam
Sam Calhoun
Staff Writer
The 2023-24 UConn women’s ice hockey team will forever go down in history as one of the all-time great teams the program has had. The 2022-23 season was all about goaltender Tia Chan in the crease, but junior Megan Warrener worked her way up so that the two goalies could become Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman of women’s hockey in Hockey East. After beginning the season 1-3-1, UConn did not lose a game in conference play until February. They won the Hockey East regular season title, and, in a low-scoring overtime thriller at Toscano Family Ice Forum, forward Megan Woodworth punched their ticket to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history. Kathryn Stockdale, Ashley Allard, Camryn Wong, Jada Habisch and Chan all earned Hockey East honors. Head coach Chris MacKenzie was named the National Coach of the Year to cap off a historic year.
Baseball -Sean
Sean Ahern
Staff Writer
Sitting at 23-18 overall heading into May, the UConn baseball team has taken a step back in the win column from last season, but with 13 regular season games left, anything can happen. The team must play more consistently on the road as they are currently 10-13 on the season away from Elliot Ballpark. However, the Huskies have had a successful April, which saw them go 15-3. If they can limit their strikeouts, which they lead the conference in by a wide margin, and continue their league-leading stolen base rate, they have a chance at adding another Big East title and a trip to the College Baseball Playoffs. With players on the roster who were members of the back-to-back title run in 2021 and 2022, their experience is invaluable as the Big East Tournament approaches.