The University of Connecticut women’s soccer team began its defense of the Big East crown with a win over St. John’s University on Saturday night’s conference opener.
The Huskies (5-2-1) played in front of over 1,300 fans at Joseph A. Morrone Stadium as they defeated the Red Storm (2-4-2) 2-0 to extend their win streak to four.
UConn dictated the tempo throughout the contest, outshooting St. John’s 17-5 and getting 11 corner kick chances against the Red Storm’s two.
In the 41st minute first-year Maree-Anne Van Doesburg curled a corner kick into the box, which was met by a header from second-year Taylor Jenkins for the breakthrough goal. This was Jenkins’ second goal in as many matches.
“We always talk about being gritty, being hardworking,” Jenkins said. “Those are our true core values as a team and just continuing that, growing upon that each and every game.”
Less than two minutes later, second-year Riley Prozzo led a counterattack with a through ball to second-year Farrah Stephens-Martin who punched in her first career goal with the Huskies. Prozzo and Van Doesburg each recorded their first collegiate assists on the play, giving the Huskies a two-goal lead before halftime.
The offense’s recent success marks a stark contrast to the season’s opening weeks, when UConn scored just two goals through its first four games. However, in recent weeks the Huskies have turned the corner, scoring multiple goals in each of their last three wins. Over the same stretch, UConn won each game by a two-goal margin.
Preseason Big East Player of the Year favorite, fourth-year Chioma Okafor was essential offensively against the Red Storm despite not finding the back of the net herself. Her three shots on goal kept the pressure on St. John’s defensive line.
“Chioma is just a beast out there,” head coach Margaret Rodriguez said. “She intimidates every team we play against. Our team also has other players that can threaten just like Chioma, so she could distract teams and other players can get in. I just think her work rate, her mentality, her aggressiveness. Our team feeds off of her.”
Saturday’s defensive effort was equally as dominant. First-year keeper Ava Yamas, who entered the night as the reigning Big East Goalkeeper of the Week, needed just one save to secure the Huskies’ fifth clean sheet of the season. The back line and midfield kept St. John’s from creating consistent chances and pushed the ball out in transition.
UConn will look to keep its momentum going Wednesday night when they host No. 23 Xavier at home. The Musketeers will be the Huskies ranked opponent of the season, setting an early test as they look to defend their Big East crown.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Fans can tune into the game on ESPN+.