STORRS, Conn. – The UConn men's soccer team beat the St. John's Red Storm, 2-1 on Friday night. The Huskies earned three points, winning their opening match in BIG EAST play.
UConn's Scott Testori opened the scoring for the Huskies in the 28th minute off a counterattack. Testori was in the right place at the right time on a loose ball just outside the 18 yard box. The Connecticut native one-timed a shot into the bottom far corner, burying his third goal of the season and giving the Huskies an early lead.
UConn continued to turn up the pressure in a physical match with the Johnnies as three Huskies were booked with yellow cards in the first half. The Huskies would go into the halftime break with the one goal lead.
In the 49th minute sophomore Pierce Bateson scored what would prove to be the game winner in the match. Bateson was able to shake two St. John's defenders, linking up with Testori on a give and go. Testori slipped Bateson through on goal and the New Jersey native netted his second goal of the season.
St. John's spoiled the Huskies shutout in the 61st minute. Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau scored his fifth goal of the season making it 2-1 UConn.
UConn bunkered down on defense as St. John's threw everything they had at the Huskies with shots 11-2 in favor of the Johnnies in the second half. Defenders Guillaume Vacter and Kieran Chandler both made goal line clearing saves, preserving the one goal lead. UConn goalkeeper Jayden Hibbert finished with three saves in the match.
UConn nearly caught a break in the 80th minute as the Huskies were awarded a penalty kick, but after an official video review the penalty ruling was overturned.
"Anytime you get a 2-1 win against a great team you'll take it." said head coach Chris Gbandi. "First half I thought we played well, second half at times not as well as I would like but give credit to our guys for finding a way to get a result out of the game."
Up Next:
The Huskies will host Central Connecticut State on Tuesday, September 19th at 7:00pm. Tickets are available HERE.
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