The UConn women’s soccer team defeated the Creighton Bluejays 1-0 in a defensive battle late Saturday night in front of 1,771 fans.
This win marks the Huskies’ second consecutive and boosts their record to 6-3-2. Creighton on the other hand, falls to 4-7-2.
In the 77th minute, sixth year defender Anna Carson launched the ball to the right corner of the goal to score the only goal of the match.
The game started physically, with each team recording two fouls in the first 10 minutes. Redshirt freshman forward Se-Hanna Mars took the Huskies’ first shot of the game in the 12th minute, but it was blocked. Two minutes later, Mars had yet another shot denied.
Over the next 15 minutes, both teams combined for two shots on goal, continuing the defensive tone that defined the early stages of the match.
Both teams made numerous substitutions, but nothing seemed to be working offensively until the 32nd minute. For Creighton, freshman defender Olivia Sides kicked the ball toward the net but was rejected.
Moments later, junior midfielder, Tejia Murray-Powell had her shot knocked away by freshman goalkeeper Ava Yamas.
This was followed up by UConn senior forward, Chioma Okafor, having her shot stopped by senior goalkeeper, Alyssa Zalac in the 34th minute.
After that, the rest of the first half shots were spread out and stopped to keep the score 0-0 heading into the locker room.
The second half started with a Connecticut yellow card. Freshman defender Ines Nourani was given an unsportsmanlike conduct call.
30 seconds later, senior midfielder Tori Gillis took a shot for Crieghton off target.
The match did not have another shot until the 47th minute when sophomore midfielder Taylor Jenkins was off target with her shot. During the 64th minute, Jenkins was off target yet again.
From there, both teams were able to keep each other from attacking. The Bluejays’ freshman forward, Jalen Chaney had a prime opportunity to score in the 71st minute, but Yamas came up with a major save to keep zeros on the scoreboard.
During the 72nd minute, Slides was guilty of unsporting, leading to a yellow card.
Five minutes later, Okafor was awarded a free kick and set up Carson in great position to move up field and find the angle to put the ball in the net to break the scoreless tie.
The goal was Carson’s first goal in two seasons in Storrs.
Creigton was only able to get off one more shot from that point, and the Huskies walked away with the victory.
UConn is now 3-1-1 in the Big East and 4-1-1 at home. The Bluejays are now 1-1-3-1 in the Big East and 2-4 away from Omaha.
During the match, UConn fired off 13 total shots and five shots on goal. Creighton totaled nine shots and five shots on goal.
The Huskies tallied five saves to Creighton’s four.
The UConn women’s soccer team returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 11 against Marquette. The game will be played at Morrone Stadium and kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.