Bearcats Lose Late Lead, Match at No. 7/4 Connecticut

Bearcats Lose Late Lead, Match at No. 7/4 ConnecticutBearcats Lose Late Lead, Match at No. 7/4 Connecticut

Sept. 21, 2008

Box Score

STORRS, Conn. - The University of Cincinnati men's soccer team had the No. 7/4 Connecticut Huskies on the ropes, holding a 1-0 lead with under 10 minutes remaining, but a pair of UConn goals in the closing minutes led the Huskies to a 2-1 win on Sunday afternoon (Sept. 21) at Joseph J. Morrone Stadium.

"We played well enough to get a result," said head coach Hylton Dayes. "For 85 minutes, we were able to keep their two key players under control."

Sophomore Nick Weightmann (Lenark, Scotland/St. Aidan's) scored in the 25th minute for the Bearcats (2-3-2, 0-1-1 BIG EAST), the first goal for the Scotland native.

UC outplayed the Huskies (4-0-3, 2-0-0) for 84 minutes. UConn was awarded a free kick from just outside the box. Akeem Priestley ripped the free kick, deflecting off the UC wall and past Bearcats keeper Matt Williams (Portland, Maine/Cheverus). Priestley earned his second yellow card of the match for celebrating and was sent off.

Just moments later, on a counter attack, 2007 M.A.C. Hermann Trophy winner O'Brian White worked through the UC defense and scored the game-winner, popping a shot over the head of Williams.

The Bearcats outshot the Huskies, 18-8, but UConn's Josh Ford made six saves to hold UC to just one goal.

"Our goal was to come here and get a win," Dayes continued. "We were five minutes from doing that. We are not going to hang our heads. Our guys have an understanding now of what it takes to win in this league."

The win was the first for the Huskies against UC. The Bearcats entered the match 2-0-0 all-time against UConn, most recently knocking off the No. 1-ranked Huskies, 2-0, in the 2005 BIG EAST opener behind a pair of Omar Cummings goals.

UC returns to Gettler Stadium to take on Notre Dame on Friday, Sept. 26, at 7 p.m.