Men’s Soccer: UConn men’s soccer pulls away from Siena in 3-1 victory 

The University of Connecticut men’s soccer team hosted Siena at Joseph J. Morrone Stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 6 p.m. for an out-of-conference matchup.  

This matchup was defined by UConn’s early offensive pressure and ability to maintain its lead against persistent Siena attack.  

The Huskies entered Tuesday’s matchup looking to bounce back from a 2-1 loss to Seton Hall in the Big East opener on Friday. Despite falling behind by two goals early on, UConn responded with a stronger second half, cutting the deficit to one and generating increased offensive pressure throughout the final 25 minutes. The Huskies finished with 16 shots and 7 corner kicks but were unable to find the equalizer. Against Siena, UConn looked to carry that second-half momentum into a full 90-minute performance and get back on track. 

The Huskies came out aggressively in the opening 20 minutes, generating five shots while keeping Siena scoreless. Senior midfielder Steve Delacour and senior midfielder Max Gummesson had early shots blocked, while sophomore defender Maxim Emmerling, sophomore midfielder Preston Alessio and junior forward Evan Pickering each sent attempts off target. Siena managed just one shot during the opening stretch, but redshirt junior goalkeeper Kyle Durham made the save to keep the game scoreless.  

The Huskies broke through in the 22^nd minute after a foul on Siena’s freshman Antonio Vicente inside the box awarded UConn a penalty kick. Alessio took the attempt, sending the ball into the bottom-left corner of the net to give the Huskies a 1-0 lead. The goal marks Alessio’s third goal of the season and continued offensive impact after he scored the Huskies lone goal against Seton Hall on Friday. 

Siena responded to the goal with increased aggression, earning two corner kicks within the next two minutes. However, the Huskies defense stepped up preventing them from finding the back of the net. Siena had shots from senior Lee Mara and junior Benjamin Fogarty shortly after the Huskies’ goal, with Mara’s attempt blocked and Fogarty’s going off target.  

UConn responded to this aggression by introducing junior Alfonso Arredondo, freshman Owen Bland and freshman Justin Hubbard to the lineup, giving the Huskies fresh legs as they looked to maintain their lead. Siena continued to create opportunities as the half progressed, but UConn’s defense kept the Saints from capitalizing. Siena recorded another shot in the 32^nd minute, but the Huskies were able to maintain their 1-0 advantage through the remainder of the half. 

UConn entered halftime with the lead after controlling much of the early action and converting one of its opportunities into a goal. The Huskies’ defense held Siena without a shot on target following Durham’s early save, allowing UConn to take the advantage into the second half.  

The Huskies carried momentum into the second half. Alessio and Pickering continued to provide UConn with attacking options as the Huskies looked for a second goal. Siena also came out of the half with renewed energy. In the 54^th minute, Delacour was called for a foul, resulting in a penalty kick for them. Freshman Ivan Struk converted the penalty, tying the game 1-1. UConn’s defense responded to the tie with increased pressure, including a blocked shot in the 60^th minute.  

The match remained tied through the middle portion of the half as both teams looked for a breakthrough. The offense increased their pressure, including an attempt by freshman midfielder Grant Emerhi in the 77^th minute, but Siena’s goalkeeper Bennet Glinder made the save. In the 81^st minute, Siena was called for a handball in the box, awarding UConn a penalty kick. Senior forward Elijah Langford converted the penalty, giving the Huskies the 2-1 edge.  

UConn quickly extended its lead just over three minutes later when Hubbard found the back of the net in the 84^th minute, sending a shot into the bottom center of the goal to give the Huskies a 3-1 advantage. Siena attempted to respond in the closing minutes, but Durham made the save to preserve UConn’s two-goal lead. The Huskies held onto their two-goal advantage through the final whistle, securing a 3-1 victory and closing out the game with two second-half goals. 

The Huskies look to continue this complete-game dominance into their second Big East matchup of the season Saturday, Sept. 26, against St. John’s in Queens, N.Y.