Connecticut Huskies
Big East
Connecticut finished with a record of 15-3-1 in, by far, one of the toughest conferences this season, giving the Huskies the regular season conference crown in the Big East. The Huskies didn’t go without losses this year, losing to Marquette, who was undefeated at the time, robbing UConn of their own undefeated title. The Huskies won three matches after their first loss before taking on Providence twice in a row, first losing then taking the win, to end the regular season.
2012 Record: 15-3-1, 6-2-0
Coach: Ray Reid
Good Results: 9/7 Washington (1-0), 9/29 Notre Dame (2-1), 10/3 Georgetown (2-1)
Bad Results: 9/9 Boston U (1-1), 10/6 at Marquette (2-3), 10/24 at Providence (0-1)
Why They Can Surprise:
Connecticut fell in the semifinals of the Big East Tournament to Notre Dame, but played well overall. The Huskies have the strength to make a NCAA Tournament run on both offense and defense. Mamadou Doudou Diouf led the Huskies in the regular season with 13 goals, followed by Allando Matheson and Adria Beso, both with seven. Keeper Andre Blake, who tallied 55 saves, and the Huskie defense only allowed ten goals heading into the NCAA Tournament, giving UConn ten shut outs.
Why They Can Disappoint:
The loss to Notre Dame in the Big East Tournament has the Huskies backing into the important tournament. A loss obviously did not affect the Huskies’ spot in the postseason, but having that momentum would have been huge. This is not a team that is used to losing and getting at least one win in Philadelphia against quality competition like the Irish would and Georgetown would have been big. Without it, Connecticut will have to reload a bit and try and get that positive momentum back early in the NCAA Tournament.
Key Strikers:
Mamadou Doudou Diouf, Junior, 13 goals, 2 assists
Allando Matheson, Sophomore, 7 goals, 1 assist
Key Midfielders:
Carlos Alvarez, Senior, 7 goals, 8 assists
Adria Beso, Sophomore, 2 goals, 5 assists
Key Defenders:
Max Wasserman, Senior, 2 goals, 5 assists
Flo Liu, Senior, 2 goals, 2 assists
Key Goalkeepers:
Andre Blake, Sophomore, 0.52 goals against average, .846 save percentage, 10 shutouts
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 2.00 (21st in nation, 3rd in conference)
Goals-Against Average: 0.49 (4, 1)
Shutout Percentage: 0.61 (4, 1)
Save Percentage: 0.850 (11, 2)
2013 MLS Draft Prospects:
#2 Mamadou Doudou Diouf
#3 Carlos Alvarez
#5 Andre Blake
See All Prospects
Recent Postseason Appearances:
Connecticut 2011 Second Round Defeated Monmouth
Connecticut 2011 Third Round Defeated James Mason
Connecticut 2011 Quarterfinals Lost to Charlotte
Connecticut 2010 Second Round Lost to Brown
Connecticut 2009 First Round Lost to Monmouth
Connecticut 2008 First Round Defeated Fairfield
Connecticut 2008 Second Round Defeated Virginia
Connecticut 2008 Third Round Lost to Creighton
Connecticut 2007 Second Round Defeated Vermont
Connecticut 2007 Third Round Defeated South Florida
Connecticut 2007 Quarterfinals Lost to Virginia Tech
Connecticut 2006 First Round Lost to Fairfield
Connecticut 2005 Second Round Defeated Stony Brook
Connecticut 2005 Third Round Lost to Akron
Connecticut 2004 First Round Defeated Marist
Connecticut 2004 Second Round Lost to Boston College
Connecticut 2003 First Round Defeated Rhode Island
Connecticut 2003 Second Round Lost to St. John's
*all team stats through 11/4
See All Men’s Soccer Postseason Capsules
