Storrs, CT. – In a rematch of last year’s BIG EAST championship game – which St. John’s won – the Connecticut Huskies’ (7-0-1) offense proved to be too domineering for the Red Storm (5-1-3) as they played in front of a tempestuous and sold-out crowd at Moronne Stadium. The Johnnies were unable to break the 30 game, now 31, unbeaten streak at Moronne Stadium in Storrs.
In a battle of the two best offenses in the BIG EAST, the Huskies pushed the Johnnies around. UCONN’s front line dictated the pace throughout the first half as the continued to force the Red Storm defense back into the net.
The Huskies capitalized on their opportunity in the 13th minute when Carlos Alvarez sent a shot past goal keeper Rafael Diaz after a cross by Max Wasserman.
The Johnnies’ offense struggled to get any quality shots. The Connecticut defense shut down and negated any legitimate opportunity St. John’s had to score.
Nearing the end of the half the Huskies again picked up their pace as they again pushed the Red Storm defense back. This eventually led to a yellow card for Daniel Herrera in the 31st minute because of a kick to the back of a UCONN’s player’s knee. Amidst the arguing over that card, another card – a red card – was seen being held in the air by the head referee. This was given to St. John’s forward Danny Bedoya. After a series of failed arguments, Bedoya was forced to go back to the bench and watch the rest of the game from there.
The second half of the game proved to be no better for the Johnnies. Again it was a half of missed and limited opportunities for them, highlighted by a PK by Jelani Williams that sailed over the Huskies’ goal.
Coach Masur expressed his disappointment after the game: “It’s tough being down 1-0 and a man and not taking advantage of the PK. But we tried to hang in there and be resilient.”
The UCONN offense continued to bully the St. John’s defense in the second 45 minutes of the game. A foul in the goalie’s box by Rafael Diaz set up a PK for UCONN, taken by Carlos Alvarez.
After his first attempt was called off because he was too close to the goal, Alvarez sent the ball in the opposite direction and into the back of the net, giving the Huskies a 2-0 lead. Alondo Matheson finished off the rout in the 83rd minute as he broke away from the Red Storm defense and bounced the ball into the goal.
St. John’s will look to bounce back from Sunday’s loss as they host Columbia (2-4-1) on Tuesday at Belson Stadium.
