University of Connecticut Athletics
Barakat's Early Goal Advances Huskies to Elite Eight
11/24/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
STORRS, CT (Nov. 24) – Brittany Barakat (Arlington, TX) scored just 1:10 into play to lead the Huskies past Florida State, 1-0, in the third round of the NCAA Women’s Soccer College Cup on Sunday at Morrone Stadium. The Seminoles end their season at 13-7-3 as UConn improves to 21-2-1 and advances to the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament.
Barakat’s goal at 1:10 into the game was the quickest goal for UConn all season. Jennifer Sullivan (Stonington, CT) sent her a long pass up the right side to tempt FSU goalkeeper Kerry York out of the net, freeing up Barakat to chip it over her head for her 11th goal of the season. Florida State only recorded one shot in the first half.
The Seminoles came out stronger in the second half, out-shooting the Huskies 9-3, but couldn’t put one past Maria Yatrakis (Brooklyn, NY), who made five crucial saves for UConn. Yatrakis faced two close shots as she barely beat Cindy Schofield to the ball with 9:40 left on the clock. Just four minutes later, she was forced to make a diving save on a shot by Camie Bybee to hold on to Connecticut’s one-goal lead.
Yatrakis stopped five for the Huskies as Kerry York made just one save in the game. Overall, the Seminoles out-shot UConn, 10-9.
The Huskies advance to the Elite Eight and will play host to Penn State (18-3-1) on Saturday, November 30 at 1:30 p.m. at Morrone Stadium. UConn traveled to State College earlier in the season and beat the Nittany Lions, 4-2 in exhibition play.
