University of Connecticut Athletics
Men's Soccer Rolls Past Syracuse, 2-0
9/17/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
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SYRACUSE, N.Y. (September 17, 2006 ) – Ryan Cordeiro (Highland Mills, N.Y.) scored the game-winning goal in the 39th minute, as the University of Connecticut men’s soccer team defeated BIG EAST rival Syracuse, 2-0, Sunday afternoon at the SU Soccer Stadium. With the win, UConn improves to 3-2-1 on the year with a 3-0-1 record in the BIG EAST, while the Orange falls to 3-4-0 overall and 0-4-0 in the conference.
The first half opened with a slow and steady pace, as both teams became accustomed to the unseasonably warm weather for central New York. Freshman Mike Pezza (Jackson, N.J.), in his first collegiate start, pushed forward early to make several runs and get off the Huskies’ first shot of the day in the fifth minute. UConn continued to push forward, coming up with back-to-back shots in the 18th minute from O’Brian White (Scarborough, Ontario) and Akeem Priestley (Kingston, Jamaica). White barreled in from the right side, sending a hard shot that was saved by Syracuse keeper Robert Cavicchia, but rebounded back into play in front of Priestley, who shanked the ball wide right.
The Orange counterattacked quickly as Luis Martinez played the ball into the middle of the penalty area. One of the Syracuse forwards got his head on the ball sending it towards the upper portion of the goal mouth, but was called offsides and the Huskies regained possession. The two teams traded chances over the next 20-plus minutes, until Cordeiro came streaming down the left side of the field and sent a rocket towards the goal from 30 yards out that dropped into the upper left corner of the goal to put the Huskies on top 1-0 in the 39th minute.
The Huskies got on the board for the second time in the 51st minute as Chukwudi Chijindu (Fontana, Calif.) played the ball from the middle of the box out to the right side for a waiting Priestley. The sophomore midfielder turned and fired the ball towards the Orange’s net and Syracuse defender Brad Peetoom. In attempt to deflect the shot, Petoom miscalculated the speed of the shot and knocked it into his own net to score one for the Huskies.
UConn pulled back behind the ball for much of the remaining minutes, limiting the Orange to six shots in the period and 12 overall. Syracuse threatened several times, but the Husky defense diverted the ball back into the midfield to retain possession. Kyle Hall had one of the Orange’s closest opportunities of the half in the 77th minute, but sent the ball sailing wide.
With Sunday’s win, UConn is now 19-10-3 all-time against Syracuse, winning six of the last seven.
The Huskies return to action Wednesday night at 7:00 against Sacred Heart at Joseph J. Morrone Stadium. UConn faced the Pioneers for the first time last season, winning 3-0 on Sept. 28 in Storrs.
