The UConn women’s soccer team (4-1-1) earned their first home wins of the season against Cal State Fullerton (2-5) on Thursday and University of Rhode Island (2-3-1) on Sunday.
After two shutouts away wins, the Huskies sought their first wins at home. Both displayed UConn’s increasingly aggressive style of play this season.
The first half was a dominant showing for the UConn offense, and it did not take long for the Huskies to get on the scoreboard. Just two minutes into the game, senior Maddie Fried scored from a difficult angle assisted by junior Chioma Okafor. This marked Fried’s first goal for the program.
With UConn’s first shot of the game being converted into a goal, the Huskies already had the advantage early in the game, but the pressure they were applying to the Titan’s defense was non stopping. Seven of the nine shots recorded in the match were all in the first half, making it clear that the Huskies were not pleased with just a one-goal lead. With just seconds left in the first half, one of those shots was converted into a goal by freshman Taylor Jenkins. After the ball nearly went out of bounds, freshman Naia Ocio was able to not only keep the ball in play, but also blast it into the center to give Jenkins an open shot.
While the second half of the match was a quiet one for the UConn offense, it was yet another successful performance for the Huskies goalkeeper Kaitlyn Mahoney. After clearing the Titan’s late game attempts to get on the scoreboard, Mahoney was able to preserve UConn’s lead and record the team’s third straight shutout, her 22nd overall career shutout for the program and a 2-0 win for the Huskies.
Connecticut secured their first home win of the season after a rough start, giving them confidence going into the next home fixture against Rhode Island.
Going into the Sunday fixture against Rhode Island, it was not an ideal start to the game for the Huskies. Two minutes into the game it was Rhode Island this time who converted an early goal. URI forward Lauren MacDonald’s right-foot shot put the Rams into the lead. The early goal UConn conceded woke the offense as they started to create more chances and soon applied pressure to the Rams.
UConn’s closest opportunity came in the 20th minute. Okafur was one on one with the Rhode Island goalkeeper and attempted a shot, but it went directly to the goalkeeper’s hands. Overall, in the first half, UConn outshot URI by three, demonstrating the Huskies relentless offensive pressure. In the final minutes of the half, the program had some final opportunities with two late corners, but URI held off UConn’s late attempt to equalize.
The momentum of the match was trending in the Huskies’ favor, and soon, they found the answer to their one-goal deficit. The Huskies equalized after junior Lina Dantes scored from the center of the box, assisted by senior Abbey Jones. UConn had found the rhythm and style of play that has been seen in the previous games. As the half continued, the URI defense was at a breaking point as UConn was keen on taking the lead, recording 12 shots in this half alone.
The Rams could not seem to get anything in, and frustration soon began to set in as fouls started to pile against them. Tension escalated as URI conceded two penalty kicks within five minutes. Both penalty kicks were converted into goals by Okafur, increasing the UConn lead late in the second half. Any chance of a URI comeback was crushed as UConn had an advantage in both scoreline and overall possession of the ball. That lead was sustained, and the Huskies, after being down one, ended with a 3-1 win at home.
UConn will remain at home for the next two fixtures. Their first will be against Yale (3-1) on Thursday, then ending non-conference play against Texas A&M (3-2) on Sunday. The Huskies are looking to end this series of games at home on a good note as they enter what will be a much-anticipated Big East season.