Game-Winning Goal in 89th Minute Pushes No. 8 UConn Past Vermont, 3-2.

Tuesday, October 23

Storrs, Conn.

7:00 P.M.

University of Connecticut

10-2-2

University of Vermont

10-6

Vermont

UConn

Photo by: Stephen Slade

Game-Winning Goal in 89th Minute Pushes No. 8 UConn Past Vermont, 3-2.

10/23/2018 11:16:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

MORRONE ROAD CLOSURES

STORRS, Conn. – Wrapping up the non-conference portion of its schedule, the Huskies, behind two second-half goals, staved off Vermont's upset bid, 3-2, to remain undefeated at Morrone Stadium. UConn moves to 10-2-2 on the season.

Vermont jumped out to an early 1-0 lead at 10:42 after Jon Bryant's header from just outside the six-yard box dropped into the right corner of the net. The Catamounts continued to apply pressure, dominating the ball for much of the first half – with one minute left in the first half, Vermont held a 4-1 shot advantage over the Huskies.

UConn snatched a bit of the momentum back just before the half. With eight seconds to go in the half (44:52), Abdou Mbacke Thiam was able to clear the ball out of a crowded area and send a pass to Blaise N'Gague, who dropped the ball into the bottom-left corner of the net and tie the score at 1-1 heading into the break.

The Catamounts regained a one-goal advantage in the 56^th minute – Off a throw-in, Trevor Colazzo got the ball to Geo Alves – who was behind the defense – and Alves placed the ball into the right-corner of the net to give Vermont a 2-1 lead.

The lead didn't last long for Vermont, however. Just like they've done in several games this year, the battle-tested Huskies powered through the adversity and showed their resiliency once again, finding the equalizer in the 64^th minute. Dayonn Harris sent a cross to the left side of the field that was initially deflected by Vermont's keeper Aron Runarsson, but the ball ricocheted off the keeper's fingertips right over to Abdou Mbacke Thiam – who perfectly timed his jump and put the ball in the back of the net to knot the score at 2-2.

Vermont launched some late attacks and again were knocking on the door, but Austin Aviza denied entry, making two huge stops – a diving save and a deflection – to keep the game tied heading into the last 10 minutes. It looked as if the game was headed into overtime, but a stroke of déjà vu occurred in the final minute of regulation.

With the game-clock winding down and the Huskies on the attack, Abdou Mbacke Thiam launched another high-arching shot – similar to the one Saturday night against Temple – in an attempt to win the game. Mbacke Thiam's shot hit the crossbar, but the ball bounced out to Dayonn Harris, who capitalized on the rebound and fired the ball into the back of the net to give No. 8 UConn a 3-2 win over Vermont.

"They're resilient," said head coach Ray Reid. This is the toughest group of kids in 22 years at UConn."

Game Notes:

Blaise N'Gague scored his first goal of the season, while Dayonn Harris and Abdou Mbacke Thiam connected on the other two goals.
UConn's win improves its record to 9-0-1 at Morrone Stadium, and pushes its unbeaten streak to ten games.

Next Up:

No. 8 UConn welcomes SMU to Morrone Stadium for a high-stakes, inter-conference matchup Saturday Night at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast on the American Digital Network.

Additionally, Saturday's tilt is senior day – get out to Morrone Stadium early to watch as we honor our seniors for their accomplishments and contributions to UConn on and off the field. After the game, the UConn men's and women's soccer team will celebrate the 'sun-setting' of Morrone Stadium. Fans are welcome to join us for a brief postgame ceremony and some dairy bar ice cream.