The University of Connecticut men’s soccer program is back in the win column.
After back-to-back losses against Bryant and DePaul at home, the Huskies added another win to their record this weekend. They defeated Marquette 1-0 on the road this past Saturday to improve their all-time record against the Golden Eagles to 10-1-2.
With this win, it improves the Huskies’ overall record to 6-6-2 and their conference record to 2-2-0.
“Obviously, the results haven’t gone our way some games, but tonight [we] just showed the character of this group,” Head Coach Chris Gbandi said in an interview from the program’s X page.
To start out the match, both programs had various opportunities to get themselves up on the board, especially from Max Gummesson in the eighth minute who earned the Huskies’ first shot of the game.
It wasn’t until the midway point of the first half, though, when UConn struck first.
Connecticut’s game-winning goal came in the 23rd minute from junior Alfonso Arredondo for his first of the year. Arrendondo’s shot attempt deflected off one of the Golden Eagle’s defenders, landing in the back of the net.
For the rest of the first half, the Huskies worked to keep their lead as they headed into halftime.
Once the second half of the match commenced, the Golden Eagles made a consistent effort against the Huskies to cut their deficit. Both squads were flurrying their opposing goalkeeper with shots.
Both programs –maintained consistency in the pressure they were applying to one another. As the Huskies looked to keep their lead, they racked up a total of 12 fouls on the evening.
As the Huskies looked to increase their lead, in the 72nd minute, Mateo DePinho had the closest opportunity to do so, but it was ultimately saved by the Golden Eagles.
Even with just three shots on goal for the entire match, as opposed to Marquette’s six, Connecticut took the win. In total, UConn had 10 shots, Gummesson leading his team with three.
UConn’s goalkeeper Kyle Durham stood tall for the Huskies in between the pipes. The red- shirt junior saved six shots from the Golden Eagles and earned his second clean sheet of the season.
As the regular season starts to wind down, the Huskies will look to carry this momentum into postseason play. Connecticut is currently ranked No. 2 in the Big East, East Division standings, behind the Georgetown Hoyas who are currently on a seven-game winning streak.
“[I’m] super, super happy with the performance and the result,” Gbandi said in an interview. “Certainly, our back was against the wall tonight, and the guys showed up and played super well.”
The Huskies will shift their focus to their return to Morrone Stadium. This Saturday, Connecticut will take on the Providence Friars for Junior Husky Club Day. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. in Storrs. Fans can tune in to the match on ESPN+.