University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
Providence
Huskies Fall to Providence 1-0 in Overtime
11/7/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Nov. 7, 2009
STORRS, Conn. - Matt Marcin scored the game-winning goal in the 98th minute as Providence College slipped past the University of Connecticut men's soccer team 1-0 in overtime on Saturday night at Morrone Stadium.
With the win, the Friars advance to the 2009 BIG EAST semifinals in Morgantown, W. Va. on Friday, Nov. 13 to face St. John's.
The Huskies drop to 11-4-3 on the year after the tournament loss and will now await an NCAA Tournament bid. The College Cup bracket will be announced on Monday, Nov. 16 at 5:30 p.m.
John Raley sent a cross from the near side of the field into the box to Marcin whose shot went just under the hands of a diving Josh Ford and into the far corner of the net in to clinch the overtime victory.
From the first half of play, the Huskies controlled the ball for a majority of the contest and ended the night outshooting the Friars 13-10. UConn earned a free kick in the 23rd minute as senior Mike Pezza found Kwame Watson-Siriboe in the goal area as the senior defender's header was blocked and redirected out of the 18-yard box. Following another UConn direct kick, freshman Jossimar Sanchez drilled a shot by Providence defenders but over the crossbar.
In the 32nd minute, Sanchez recorded his second shot of the game with another attempt from 20 yards out that missed wide right of the target. At intermission, the Huskies out shot the Friars 4-3 as UConn goalkeeper Josh Ford made two of his five saves in the first half.
In the 49th minute sophomore Tony Cascio was able to free himself to drill a line drive shot attempt at net but his first shot of the game went into the hands of Providence goalkeeper Timothy Murray for his first save of the night.
Cascio broke down field in the 51st minute and passed the ball to freshman Carlos Alvarez, who sent a cross over Providence defenders in the goal area to Alan Ponce, whose header missed just wide of the target.
A foul called on Providence in the 72nd minute gave the Huskies a free kick from about 20-yards out as Pezza fired a shot at net but Murray made the save to keep the score knotted at zero.
Ford made his fifth save in the 74th minute as Timothy Ritter let the ball go from 25 yards out but the red-shirt junior was able to make the stop.
Toni Stahl made a stellar pass into the 18-yard box to Cascio with 7:30 left in regulation but the sophomore missed just wide left on his shot attempt.
In the overtime period, UConn had a great look at the net with less than five minutes remaining as Alvarez took a pass from Ponce inside of the box but missed high with his shot attempt. After a blast of his own at the 96:12 mark that missed wide of the target, Raley was able to find Marcin minutes later for the game-winning goal.
Ford finished the night with five saves, while Murray made three stops in 97:54 minutes of play.
