Thiam Hat Trick Lifts Huskies in Double OT Win

Saturday, September 15

Storrs, Conn.

7:00 P.M.

University of Connecticut

4-2

Loyola University Maryland

3-2

OT 3

OT 4

Loyola Maryland

UConn

9/15/2018 10:34:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

Photo Gallery

STORRS, Conn. – Feeding off the energy from the home crowd, the UConn men's soccer team found a way to fend off the Greyhounds of Loyola Maryland in the first overtime game of the season. Abdou Mbacke Thiam, who recorded a hat trick, put home the game-winning goal in the 106^th minute, pushing his season total to five goals.

Loyola Maryland got on the scoreboard first, netting a goal in the seventh minute. UConn evened the score at one apiece in the 29^th minute after Mbacke Thiam headed home a cross from Dayonn Harris.

The Huskies had an opportunity to extend their lead just before the break, but a Ibrahima Diop shot from inside the box missed wide.

Mbacke Thiam recorded his second goal of the night after rebounding Cole Venner's blocked shot. The goal put UConn ahead 2-1 in the 76^th minute, but the lead didn't last long, as Loyola Maryland quickly responded with a goal off of a corner kick, knotting the score at 2-2.

The Huskies had a chance to go ahead in the 88^th minute, but Mbacke Thiam's attempt inside the six fell short and the contest headed to extra time.

After neither team found the net in the first overtime period, the Huskies delivered the deciding blow in the second overtime when Mbacke Thiam completed his hat trick off a UConn free kick. The final goal was set up by a Dayonn Harris free kick from outside the box, which was headed by Jacob Hauser-Ramsey over to Thiam. The victory pushes the Huskies' record to 4-0 at Morrone Stadium and 4-2 overall.

UConn will play host to Boston College Tuesday night at 7 p.m. at Morrone Stadium before opening American Athletic Conference play against USF on September 22.