A rollercoaster ride of a season for the University of Connecticut came to an end on Saturday afternoon after falling to Villanova University by a score of 2-1. It will be the first season since 2019 that the Huskies won’t be in their conference tournament, when the program was in the American Athletic Conference.
Saturday’s loss was a fitting end to the season, as UConn outshot the Wildcats 10-9. True to form, the Huskies attacked relentlessly and fired off as many shots as possible, but as on so many nights before, they couldn’t catch a break.
After a scoreless first half, Villanova broke the deadlock as Hannah Dickinson, the Wildcat keeper, launched a goal kick from the top of the box to a Dez Zapata, who beat UConn’s Shea Boyle on a run. The pass could not have been better as Zapata raced into the box, creating a critical scoring chance. Boyle got a bit too close to Zapata as she knocked down the junior forward, resulting in a penalty.
The Wildcats sent Amalia Cardo to the spot, where she delivered a beautiful strike to the right side of the net. Unfortunately for keeper Lily Onorato, she guessed correctly, but the shot was just out of reach.
Anya Montano was the star of the match for UConn, scoring the team’s lone goal coming off of a corner kick in the 79thtminute to even the game at a goal apiece. The freshman also fired off a team-high 4 shots, 3 of which were on target.
Montano’s goal was set up by a corner kick from Maree-Anne Van Doesburg, who whipped the ball into Anaya Johnson. Johnson’s header attempt was then deflected to Montano’s left foot, which sent it to the back of the net for her first career goal.
Villanova regained the lead during the 84th minute as the Wildcats sailed in a cross from the left side of the field as Onorato leapt to punch it away. Onorato fell to the ground after punching the ball away from danger. However, Villanova’s Morgan Kotch picked up the loose ball and nailed the routine shot in the back of the net, which was the eventual winning goal.
Over in the 87th minute, the Huskies had their best chance to tie the game as Maeve Staunton sent the ball into the box, deflecting off multiple players and eventually landing by Ines Nournai. Nournai took one dribble and sent a low shot to the left of the net, missing by mere inches.
The final whistle blew and UConn’s chances of making the Big East Championship officially came to an end. The Huskies finished the season with a 4-5-9 record, placing them seventh overall in the conference.
