University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
11-4-2; 3-2-2
Temple University
6-9-4; 2-4-1
Huge Second Half Powers UConn to 3-1 Victory over Temple
11/6/2018 9:50:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Ray Reid needed his team to step up in the second half, as the Huskies did just that, scoring a pair of goals! Hear it from @UConnMSOC's HC ? pic.twitter.com/6Yb3zbOyed
— American MSoccer (@American_MSoc) November 7, 2018
Dayonn Harris had the game-winner in the second half for @UConnMSOC! @Halioughton caught up with him after the game ? pic.twitter.com/MsywPz5i3j
— American MSoccer (@American_MSoc) November 7, 2018
No. 4 seed @UConnMSOC earns a trip to the semifinals to take on No. 1 seed UCF! The Huskies battled back and scored 2? second-half goals to clinch a 3-1 win over No. 5 seed Temple.
— American MSoccer (@American_MSoc) November 7, 2018
See how it happened ?? pic.twitter.com/bLawuhsi1b
ORLANDO, Fla. – Ignited by the spark from Cole Venner, the UConn men's soccer team used an aggressive final 55 minutes of play to surge to a 3-1 victory over the Temple Owls in the first round of the AAC Men's Soccer Championships.
UConn jumped out of the blocks extremely aggressive as they launched two attacks within the first five minutes of the game. Unfortunately, the Huskies mishandled the ball inside the attacking zone and were unable to capitalize on the early opportunities.
The game remained scoreless until Temple jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the 25th minute – Belal Mohamed launched a shot that was initially blocked by goalkeeper Gianluca Catalano, but the ball took an unfortunate bounce off a UConn player, flying high up into the air and nestling into the left side of the net.
The Huskies remained patient and poised, finding the equalizer in the 37th minute to knot the score at 1-1. After Dylan Greenberg stole the ball in the midfield and dished the ball off to Cole Venner, Venner played the ball across to Dayonn Harris who was in the area. The ball deflected off the Temple keeper and into the back of the net, resulting in an 'own goal'.
The Huskies began to pick up the tempo at the end of the first period as they nearly took the lead in the 40th minute, but Abdou Mbacke Thiam's shot deflected off the crossbar.
UConn kept the pressure on as they launched a two-on-one break nine minutes into the second period, as Harris sent a ball - trying to beat the goalie to the right post – that missed just wide of the net.
The Huskies gained the lead after Dayonn Harris cashed in on his next opportunity – Abdou Mbacke Thiam whipped a ball in from just outside the right-side of the box over to Harris who volleyed it in after splitting two Temple defenders, giving UConn a 2-1 advantage in the 69th minute.
Just five minutes later, UConn gained some much needed breathing room after extending its advantage to two goals. Cole Venner, who had been a thorn in Temple's side since checking into the first half, used an in-and-out dribble move and nestled the ball into the low right corner to give the Huskies a 3-1 advantage and seal the win.
Up Next:
UConn advances to Thursday's semifinal match against top-seeded UCF. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on the American Digital Network.
Team Stats
Belal MOHAMED
Assisted By: (unassisted)
14 zigged and zagged through the defense. Took a shot from 12 yards out and just wide of the right post. Deflection off a defender looped over the goalkeeper and nestled in the left corner of the net.
24:20
TEAM UNKNOWN
Assisted By: (unassisted)
15 dances through the defense and reaches the corner of the six-yard box, before slicing a cross to the middle. Temple's 20, sliding to make a clearance, clips the ball into his own net.
39:31
Dayonn Harris (5)
Assisted By: Abdou Mbacke Thiam
11 whips a new ball in from just outside the box on the right side. 5 volleys in from just outside the top of the six to the bottom left side.
68:26
Cole Venner
Assisted By: Abdou Mbacke Thiam
15 dribbles in and cuts back to score from 15 yards out in the low right corner.
73:54
