University of Connecticut Athletics
Huskies Blank CCSU in NCAA First Round
11/15/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
STORRS, CT (Nov. 15) – Salla Ranta (Helsinki, Finland) notched her fourth game-winner of the season, advancing the Huskies to the second round of the NCAA Women’s Soccer College Cup.
Both teams came up short in the first half, despite producing numerous scoring opportunities. Central Connecticut had their best chance when the UConn defense misplayed a ball and Erica Leno was able to get control of the ball. Juliana DiPlacido was unable to get a good shot off despite receiving a wide-open pass. Jenn Fischer took a shot, but sent it wide. Later in the half, the Huskies got a good shot at a goal when Kristen Graczyk (Albuquerque, NM) took a shot just outside the box. Zahra Jalalian (Auburn, WA) redirected the ball into the net, but was offsides on the play.
The Huskies came out in the second half determined to tally a win, out-shooting the Blue Devils 13-2 and scoring two goals in the final 18 minutes of play. Ranta broke through at 72:51 when she scored on a header off a Jennifer Sullivan (Stonington, CT) corner kick. Kristen Graczyk (Albuquerque, NM) scored her team-high 13th goal of the season, bringing her season point-tally to 31.
UConn out-shot the Blue Devils, 23-9 in the game as Maria Yatrakis (Brooklyn, NY) stopped three for the Huskies. Central Connecticut’s Sabrina Mariani denied 13 in the loss.
Connecticut advances to the second round of the NCAA College Cup on Sunday, November 17. They will face the winner of the Rhode Island-Dartmouth game scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday. Game time Sunday is 1 p.m.
