To open Big East play in their 2024 campaign, the No. 25 ranked UConn men’s soccer team defeated the DePaul Blue Demons 3-2 on Friday afternoon.
It was a tough first half for the Huskies, as they were only able to notch three shots on goal. The Blue Demons got themselves up on the board first, though, with a goal from the far right of UConn’s box in the 35th minute from Nolan McGuire.
Goalkeeper Max Kerkvliet faced a total of three shots on goal for the first half, but was able to keep the score remaining at 1-0 heading into halftime.
UConn would not give up their unbeaten streak without a fight.
To accomplish this, however, the Huskies would need a player to step up. That player was junior forward, Eli Conway.
Within the first six minutes of the second half, Conway equalized the score at one after heading it into the right corner of the Blue Demon’s goal on a pass from sophomore, Mikah Thomas.
DePaul once again dominated the score, but after lighting the lamp for the first time, Conway was not finished.
Exactly 37 seconds after the Blue Demons’ second goal, Conway netted his own second of the game after a pass from Marco Valentic.
With the second equalizing goal of the game, the score was tied, but Conway was determined to complete the hat trick.
In the 73rd minute, Conway notched his third goal of the game on a shot from the corner, 25 yards from the goal.
With dominating defense against the Blue Demons, the Huskies were able to keep their lead for the rest of the match, finishing the game with a 3-2.
The Huskies notched three Big East points from this win, and with Conway’s three goals added to his resume, he currently leads the team, tied with Sabri Hanni.
To continue this unbeaten streak, the Huskies will need different players, like Conway, to step up and pepper the opposing team’s box.
They will also need to shake the rust off quicker in the first half of their matches, where they often find themselves in scoring droughts.
Next up, the Huskies will return to Joseph Morrone Stadium to take on the Fairfield Stags, this Tuesday, Sept. 24 with a kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.
Connecticut will have to look out for the Stags’ junior midfielder William Pierce, who is known to be the persistent focal point of Fairfield’s defense and leads the team in goals and points.
The Stags are coming off their first win of the season against Columbia, where Pierce notched his first hat trick of the season. They will be looking to continue that win streak when they face the Huskies on Tuesday.
If Husky fans cannot make it to the pitch, they can livestream the match against the Stags on UConn+.