This weekend’s games were nothing but exciting and competitive. The biggest takeaway from the two games was the University of Connecticut’s defense, eliminating the opponent’s offense.
UConn’s defense played a stellar game on Friday and showed why defense wins games. Only shooting two shots and one on goal for the entire game, the Huskies took over Georgetown’s offense. Relaxing in the net, goalkeeper Natalie McKenna only saved one shot. Connecticut, doing the complete opposite, took 23 shots and shot 17 on goal.
To start the weekend, the Huskies stopped by Georgetown University on Friday and took care of business. Continuing to show their dominance, UConn shut out the Bulldogs in a 5-0 blowout. Madi Herb kicked off the game, scoring the first goal for Connecticut after not giving up and shooting in her rebound.
Proving she is still here after not scoring in the last two games, freshman Juul Sauer ended with two goals. Within inches from the goal, shooting an impressive chip shot over the keeper, Sauer scored her first of the game. Launching the ball from midfield, Sophia Ugo connected with Sauer after separating from her defender and tapping it in for her second goal. Tallying up to eight goals, Sauer is not looking to stop there.
At the end of the first half and the start of the second, the Huskies took advantage of two corners, advancing their lead to 4-0. Sol Simone passed the ball to Jamijn Damman, setting it up for Julia Bressler and smacking it into the goal.
Passing the ball to Sophia Ugo off a corner taken by Isabel Soeters, Ugo quickly set the ball up for Heuker. Sniping the ball into the back of the net, Heuker snatched her first goal of the season.
Moving onto Sunday’s game, the competitiveness took another level. Both teams played an impressive game, forcing a low-scoring overtime match. UConn outshot the University of Delaware, shooting 19, with eight of them on goal, while Delaware getting 11shots off, with six on goal. Delaware forced the Huskies to shoot difficult shots, making them less accurate than their previous game.
McKenna, making her presence known, saved four shots. She played a massive role in the team’s win. Right before the end of the first quarter, the referees awarded the YoUDees a penalty shot. Saved by McKenna, this left them scoreless going into the second quarter. Delaware could have taken the game if the penalty went in.
Scoring two goals for the Huskies and the main character of the game, Julia Bressler, scored all of Connecticut’s goals. Minutes within the start of the game, Simone dribbled the ball up the field and threaded the needle through the defender’s legs to connect with Bressler. Bressler took a touch and shot a behind-the-back shot for the goal.
Throughout the rest of the first quarter, UConn kept them from making plays and responding. Delaware did match the Huskie’s defense, not allowing them to score for the rest of the game.
About halfway through the second half, the Yankees took a long shot outside the circle forced by UConn. Weaving through the defenders, the ball somehow managed to squeeze in, tying the game up at 1-1.
Throughout the rest of the game, many shots were taken by both teams, but no plays could be made. With seven shots and four on goal, Bressler was the only player with more than five shots.
Right before overtime, several players made a last-minute attempt to win the game. Sauer, Heuker, Bressler and Ugo took shots but made none of them, forcing overtime. With Delaware hurting themselves by fouling Bressler, she knocked the ball in for the win.
Concluding this weekend’s games, the Huskies now hold the record of 9-1 and possibly move them up even more in the rankings.