Three-Second Half Goals Powers WSOC to Fourth-Straight Win
STORRS, Conn. - The UConn women's soccer team (4-1-1) scored three second half goals to surge past Rhode Island, 3-1, on Sunday afternoon at Morrone Stadium.
The victory is the Huskies fourth in a row, tying their longest win streak last season. The 4-1-1 start for UConn is the best start to fall season since 5-1 start in 2016.
The Rams quickly ended the Huskies three-match shutout streak with a tally in 2:43 into the match to take a 1-0 advantage.
UConn led the first half with a 7-3 shot edge but were unable to find an equalizer before the break.
The Huskies answered quickly in the second with their own goal, 2:43 into the half, with Lina Dantes scoring on a volley from Abbey Jones. It was the second goal of the season for the Hamburg, Germany native.
The game remained level until junior Chioma Okafor was taken down in the box in the 72nd minute. Tha Blantrye, Malawi native converted her penalty kick to give UConn its first lead of the match.
The Hermann Trophy Watch List honoree wasn't done yet, with Okafor getting pushed down in the box just 3:22 later. Okafor powered home her PK to extend the lead for the Huskies.
For Okafor, it is her fourth career game that she has scored multiple goals.
The Huskies closed out the victory with 24 players getting in the game including freshmen Grace Burns, Kileigh Gorman and Bella Meadows all making their collegiate debuts.
Offensively, the Huskies three goals on the afternoon was a season-high.
Next up, the Huskies look to keep their momentum with a Thursday, Sept. 12 contest against Yale at Morrone Stadium.
Latest Women's Soccer
- WSOC Postseason Awards Keep Rolling In, Okafor All-AmericanSTORRS, Conn. - The UConn women's soccer team has been recognized with numerous awards since the culmination of the 2024 season including Chioma Okafor becoming a two-time All-American with her selection to the United Coaches Third Team.
- Okafor Named a MAC Hermann Trophy SemifinalistKANSAS CITY, Mo. – Junior Chioma Okafor has been named as a 2024 MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalist based on voting by the NCAA Division I women's soccer coaches. The United Soccer Coaches and the Missouri Athletic Club (MAC) announced the 19 women's semifinalists on Wednesday afternoon.
- WSOC Drops NCAA Second Round Match To StanfordFAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The UConn women's soccer team (14-5-4) led for the majority of its NCAA Second Round against No. 3 seeded Stanford but ultimately fell, 2-1, at Razorback Field on Friday evening.
- WSOC Squares Off vs. No.14 Stanford in NCAA Second RoundFAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The UConn women's soccer team (14-4-4) faces No. 3 seeded and No. 14 ranked Stanford (14-4-1) on Friday, Nov. 22 at 4 PM ET / 3 PM CT at Razorback Field on ESPN+.
- WSOC Advances, Beats Rutgers in NCAA First RoundPISCATAWAY, NJ - The UConn women's soccer team (14-4-4) defeated No. 6 seeded Rutgers, 2-1, in the NCAA First Round on Saturday night at Yurcak Field.
- WSOC Plays NCAA First Round at Rutgers on Saturday NightPISCATAWAY, N.J. - The UConn women's soccer team (13-4-4) returns to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2016 and will play No. 8 seeded Rutgers on Saturday, November 16 at 5 p.m. at Yurcak Field in the NCAA First Round. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.