UConn Goes 3-0 at the Beach
FREDERICA, Del. -- Connecticut put its national ranking to the test with three games in three days at the Battle of the Beach last weekend and the Huskies came out unscathed and with a shiny new ranking.
UConn opened the Battle at the Beach, a nine-school tournament at the DE Turf Sports Complex, against No. 11 Liberty and, thanks to a game-winning tally in the final minute of regulation, the Huskies posted a 7-6 victory.
Flames midfielder Carter Elliott scored the go-ahead goal with just over eight minutes left in the fourth quarter for a 6-5 advantage.
However, the Huskies (4-0) responded by tying the game on a goal by senior middie Will Garbus at the five-minute mark and held the Flames (4-3) scoreless for the rest of the contest.
UConn senior midfielder Quincy Pecora scored with 25 seconds remaining that proved to be the difference-maker for the Huskies.
Garbus accounted for half of the Huskies' offense with three goals while junior midfielder Matt Crowe distributed two assists. Juniors Dan Baird and Cam Criniti netted one goal each.
Sophomore goalie Drew Duarte played the entire 60 minutes in net, making 15 saves.
Saturday's second game against Pittsburgh saw senior attackman Brett LeClair lead the way for the Huskies with four goals and one assist.
Criniti netted two goals while sophomore attackman Pierce Capachione, freshman midfielder Ted Nagengast and freshman attack Matt Blois each contributed one goal each.
Duarte continued his stellar play over the weekend, making 13 saves while allowing only 2 goals in the 12-2 victory for UConn.
The final match-up of the weekend saw UConn take on Central Michigan. The Huskies led 4-1 after the first quarter with two tallies each from Baird and freshman attackman Jake Glashow.
The Huskies defense clamped down only allowing one goal by the Chippewas in the first half. UConn also received scoring from Criniti (3g), LeClair (2g), Garbus (2g) and Pecora.
After the weekend sweep, UConn found itself ranked No. 12 in the country – a six-spot leap. The Huskies will New Haven on Saturday, March 31.