University of Connecticut Athletics
Graczyk Leads Women's Soccer to BIG EAST Semifinals
10/31/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
STORRS, Conn. (Oct. 31) - Senior forward Kristen Graczyk (Albuquerque, N.M.) scored the lone goal of the game to lead the University of Connecticut women's soccer team to a 1-0 defeat of Rutgers on Sunday afternoon at Morrone Stadium. With the win, second-seeded UConn advances to the BIG EAST Semifinals where they will face sixth-seed Villanova.
The game was evenly played, with both defenses allowing only limiting scoring opportunities. Both UConn and Rutgers notched three shots, two on goal, in the first half but the contest was scoreless going into halftime.
The second half was ticking down still with no score until 78:47, when Graczyk scored to give the Huskies a 1-0 lead. Junior Jennifer Sullivan (Stonington, Conn.) tapped the ball over to Graczyk who turned and blasted the ball from 21 yards out over Rutgers keeper Robyn Jones. The goal was all the Huskies would need to secure the win and advance to the BIG EAST Semifinals for the 10th time in school history.
For the game, Connecticut held a slight 9-7 advantage in shots. Junior keeper Megan Jessee (Orefield, Pa.) turned away four Rutgers shots to register her 11th shutout of the season.
UConn, host of the 2004 BIG EAST Championship, will face Villanova at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 5 at Morrone Stadium. Prior to that match-up will be top-seeded Notre Dame against fourth seed Boston College at 5:00 p.m. The semifinal winners will then play for the championship on Sunday, Nov. 7 at 12:00 p.m. For ticket information about the BIG EAST Championships, please contact the UConn Ticket Office at 877-AT-UCONN.
No. 2 Connecticut 1, No. 7 Rutgers 0
Rutgers 0 0 - 0
Connecticut 0 1 - 1
Scoring
1st Half - None.
2nd Half - UC Kristen Graczyk (Jennifer Sullivan), 78:47.
Shots - UC 9, RU 7
Saves - UC Megan Jessee 4 (90:00); RU Robyn Jones 5 (90:00).
Corner Kicks - UC 2, RU 2
Fouls - UC 9, RU 11
Offside - UC 1, RU 5
