The UConn men’s soccer program is set to finish their three-game homestand this week as they host the Siena Bulldogs on Tuesday night.
Connecticut is coming off a 2-1 loss from the Seton Hall Pirates this past weekend, breaking their five-game unbeaten streak. Seton Hall struck twice in the first half but could not add to their lead in the second half.
With a penalty kick in the 63rd minute from Preston Alessio, the Huskies cut down their deficit to one. However, for the rest of the game the Huskies couldn’t convert again, losing the game.
After this loss to the Pirates, kicking off their Big East game slate, the Huskies find themselves in last place in the East Division of the Big East standings.
“We always seem to respond in the second half,” Head Coach Chris Gbandi said in an interview on the program’s twitter. “Obviously, that’s not good enough to give up two goals in the first half, but their response was good in the second half.”
As the Huskies transition to their match against the Bulldogs, they look to find themselves in the win column again.
Siena is also coming off a 2-1 loss versus Fairfield this past Saturday, so they too will want to get themselves back in the win column.
On the Bulldogs’ roster, the Huskies should keep an eye out for senior, and former Husky, Lucas Almeida, who is leading his program with 14 points (6 goals, 2 assists). Almeida, a West Hartford, Conn. native was selected as the Metro Preseason Player of the Year.
The last time these two squads faced off against one another was in September of 2024 when the Huskies won the match 2-1. Their history dates back to 2023, when the Huskies took the win, giving them the 2-0 lead in their series all-time.
“I think just responding by working hard and finding our way,” Gbandi said in an interview on the teams’ twitter on how he would like the roster to respond after a loss against the Pirates. “To be fair, the performances have been great. The guys have done a good job performance-wise. We just got to find a way to get results. Ultimately, that’s what it’s about.”
Kickoff between these two foes is scheduled for 6 p.m. from Joseph J. Morrone Field. If Husky fans can’t make it to the pitch, they can tune in to the match on UConn+.