University of Connecticut Athletics
UConn to Face SMU in AAC Final
11/5/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Game Info | American Athletic Conference Finals |
Date & Time | Sunday, Nov. 6 | 2 p.m. |
Venue | Joseph J. Morrone Stadium |
Location | Storrs, Conn. |
Live Stats | |
Video |
STORRS, Conn. - The No. 1 seeded UConn women's soccer team will make its second American Athletic Conference Championship game appearance Sunday, Nov. 6 against the No. 3 seeded SMU in the finals at Joseph J. Morrone Stadium.
The Huskies, who earned the No. 1 seed in the conference after going 8-0-1 in league play during the regular season, defeated the No. 4 seed USF 2-0 Friday in the semifinals behind a goal each from seniors Stephanie Ribeiro (Pawtucket, R.I.) and Rachel Hill (Rollinsford, N.H.). UConn now possesses an overall record of 17-2-1.
UCONN LEADERS
1. Stephanie Ribeiro - 52 points (20g, 12a)
2. Rachel Hill - 33 points (14g, 5a)
3. Maddie Damm - 4 points (1g, 2a)
Senior goalkeeper Emily Armstrong tallied three saves Friday to record her 10th shutout of the season and help UConn advance to AAC finals for the second time of her career.
UConn last appeared in the championship game in 2014 where they brought home the American Athletic Conference Championship title. Last season, the Huskies were knocked out of the conference tournament by Cincinnati in the semifinals and did not appear in the championship game.
SCOUTING THE MUSTANGS
The No. 3 seeded SMU fought its way to the championship game, defeating both No. 6 UCF and No. 2 Memphis to make it to the finals. Despite trailing the Knights 1-0 the majority of the game, the Mustangs scored late in the second to tie it and then held on to defeat UCF 3-2 in penalty kicks.
SMU LEADERS
1. Vanessa Valadez - 26 points (9g, 8a)
2. Allie Thornton - 23 points (10g, 3a)
3. Claire Oates - 18 points (9g)
In the semifinals against No. 2 Memphis, SMU stunned the Tigers in the 85th minute with a header goal from Claire Oates to win the game and advance past Memphis 1-0. SMU finished 6-2-1 in conference games this year and is currently 13-5-2 overall.
LAST TIME OUT
The Huskies and the Mustangs met on Oct. 6 of the regular season where the two played to a 0-0 tie after 90 minutes of regulation and two overtime periods.
UP NEXT…
If the Huskies win on Sunday they will receive an automatic bid the 2016 NCAA tournament. Win or lose, tune in Monday, Nov. 7 at 4:30 p.m. for the NCAA women's soccer selection show to find out where UConn falls in the bracket.
