University of Connecticut Athletics
Graczyk's Two Goals Boost UConn Past Pittsburgh
10/5/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
PITTSBURGH, PA (October 5) -- Preseason All-BIG EAST selection Kristen Graczyk (Albuquerque, NM) came up big again, scoring two goals including the eventual game-winner as the University of Connecticut women’s soccer team blanked Pittsburgh, 3-0, in Pittsburgh, Pa. Sunday afternoon. With the victory, the Huskies improve to 7-2-2 on the campaign and conclude their four game road trip with an impressive 3-1 record. Pitt drops to 4-6-1.
Graczyk got UConn on the board at 22:45. UConn keeper Erin Rice (Keller, TX) got herself on the offensive score sheet when she made a save and punted the ball down field, finding an open Graczyk. The UConn forward dribbled through a seam in the Panther defense and fired a shot from 13 yards out that found its way to the back of the net. The assist was Rice’s first as a Husky.
Rice and the UConn defense made the goal hold up, as the senior goaltender stopped five shots including four in the first session. The Husky backline stymied any offensive attack the Panthers tried to muster, holding Pitt to only one shot on goal in the second half.
Jessica Gjertsen (Stony Plain, Alberta) gave UConn some insurance when she headed in a rebound at the 70:20 mark giving Connecticut a 2-0 advantage. Graczyk squashed any doubt at the 87:00 mark when she added an unassisted tally from point blank range.
Jaime Pelusi made nine saves in net for the Panthers, as her side was out shot 17-to-11 on the afternoon.
UConn returns home for a non-conference match-up with Hofstra at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 9. All action takes place at Morrone Stadium in Storrs.
