University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
Harvard
Huskies Take Down No. 6/8 Harvard 4-0
10/14/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Oct. 14, 2009
STORRS, Conn. - Junior Alan Ponce and freshman Carlos Alvarez both registered five points on two goals and one assist as the No. 17/10 University of Connecticut men's soccer team took down No. 6/8 Harvard 4-0 in non-conference action on Wednesday night at Morrone Stadium.
The Huskies, now 7-2-3 on the year, held the Crimson to just 12 shots on the night, a team in which averages 17.9 shots per game. UConn also held Harvard scoreless and became only the second team to do so this season. Tonight's match-up also featured the top-two teams in the Northeast Region, ranked by the NSCAA, as UConn picked up his third straight victory over the Crimson program.
Ponce scored tonight's game-winning goal at the 32:59 mark as he connected on a cross in the goal box and hit the top right corner of the net with his fourth goal of the season. Shawn Nicklaw and Mike Pezza earned the assists on the play as Ponce put UConn up 1-0 in the first half.
UConn extended its lead to 2-0 as freshman Stephane DIOP made a nice move on the far side of the field to dodge two defenders and completed a pass into the top of the box to Alvarez, whose shot was drilled towards the net and off the hands of Harvard's Austin Harms and into the back of the net.
After holding a 7-3 shot advantage in the first half, UConn headed into the locker room with a 2-0 lead at the break. Josh Ford, who finished with two saves on the night, recorded both stops in the first half as Harvard only registered two shots on goal.
In the second half, the Huskies picked up where they left off and once again were led by Ponce and Alvarez. Greg King used his speed and dribbled down the field in the 57th minute and pushed the ball up to Alvarez, who sent a cross to the left side of the field, finding Ponce, who connected on his fifth goal of the season and second of the game.
Alvarez scored his second goal of the game as the clock was winding down in the 89th minute to add to the Huskies' lead as he and Ponce used a give-and-go play to score the fourth goal of the night on Harms in net for the Crimson.
The Huskies' defense also remained solid throughout the game as they recorded their sixth consecutive shutout and ninth of the year. With the win, UConn extends its unbeaten streak to six games, while posting a 5-0-1 record in the last six contests.
Ford registered his 35th career shutout, while leading the Huskies to their seventh victory of the season.
Pezza, who jump started the UConn offense with the dish to Ponce for the game-winner, recorded his third assist of the season, while DIOP and Nicklaw picked up their fourth and second assists, respectively. With the assist on Ponce's second goal of the game, King recorded his first of the year and seventh of his career.
Harvard's loss drops the Crimson to 8-2-1 on the year, marking just their second loss of the season after losing to Wake Forest in late September.
UConn will return to action on Saturday, Oct. 17 at Morrone Stadium as the Huskies host BIG EAST opponent Pittsburgh at 7:00 p.m. The first 100 fans at Saturday night's contest will receive a free t-shirt, while there will also be a post game autograph session with your UConn men's soccer team.
