University of Connecticut Athletics
Huskies Falls to Notre Dame in BIG EAST Quarterfinals
11/9/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
SOUTH BEND, IN (November 9) – The No. 6 seed University of Connecticut men’s soccer team was eliminated from the 2003 BIG EAST Championship in a 2-0 loss to No. 3 seeded Notre Dame on Sunday afternoon at Alumni Field in South Bend, IN. The Huskies fall to an even 8-8-3 on the season, while the Irish improve to 13-3-3, and will face the winner of the Virginia Tech/Providence game on November 14 in Storrs, CT for the 2003 BIG EAST Championship.
After a scoreless first half, both UConn and Notre Dame had taken only one shot on goal, but ND held the 6-4 advantage in shots. Despite taking seven corner kicks in the first 45-minutes, the Irish could not capitalize on any opportunities. UConn’s only shot on goal was at the 8:14 mark of the half. Easton Wilson (Hartford, CT) took a shot from the right side, inside the goal box, where Notre Dame’s Chris Sawyer made the save. At the 21:43 mark, ND’s Kevin Goldthwaite blasted a shot from the top of the box after UConn was fouled. Connecticut goalie Adam Schuerman (Brookfield, WI) went down to make the save, but couldn’t hold onto the ball, allowing Greg Martin to get another shot off, but it was kicked out the baseline for the Irish corner kick. UConn’s Steve Sealy (St. James, Trinidad) had two shots for the Huskies, both headers that barely missed the goal.
The Irish took the lead in the 26th minute of the second half. Greg Martin sent a 45-yard shot into the Irish offensive box, and Schuerman made the save, but didn’t get a hold on the ball, allowing it to fall loose. ND’s Devon Prescod, who had just come in off the bench, was their to gathered the rebound and shot it point-blank-range into the empty net to break the deadlock. With 14-minutes left in regulation, a foul was called about 35-yards out on the Connecticut offensive side of the field. Cesar Cuellar (Santa Cruz, Bolivia) took the initial shot, which bounced off a wall of Irish players. Wilson sent a rebounded shot into the box, but Sawyer made the save to preserve the shutout. Notre Dame secured its lead with 12:12 left in the game. Justin Detter headed in the ball the opposite corner of the net, on assist from Martin.
Schuerman ended the game with three saves in net, while Sawyer earned his 11th shutout of the season making two stops.
The Huskies will await its fate for the 2003 NCAA Tournament, when the pairings will be announced on the afternoon of Monday, November 17.
