Oct. 18, 2003
STORRS, Conn. – Easton Wilson’s first goal of the season held up as the game’s only scoring as the University of Connecticut registered a 1-0 victory over 9th-ranked Notre Dame in a key lateseason matchup as teams jockey for BIG EAST Tournament seeding.
Notre Dame (8-3-3, 3-3-1 BIG EAST) missed out on a chance to move past Connecticut (6-6-2, 4-2-2) into the fourth and final home-field spot for the BIG EAST Tournament, with the Huskies now owning 14 points while the Irish have 10 (ND has three conference games remaining and UConn two).
Both teams totaled 11 shots, with the Irish holding a slim edge in shots on goal (6-5). The visitors also owned the corner-kick edge (8-3), with junior Chris Sawyer making four saves.
Wilson scored in the 42nd minute after a lead pass set up Mpho Moloi for a cross from the rightside. Wilson streaked onto the ball and was one-on-one with Sawyer, drilling a crossing shot into the upper left corner of the net for the 1-0 halftime lead (41:15).
Notre Dame had the run of play in the second half, owning a 7-4 shot edge and 7-3 corner-kick margin. The Irish had a chance to tie the game in the lategoing, with an 85th-minute direct kick from 23 yards out. Senior midfielder Greg Martin sent his try over the wall with ‘keeper Adam Schuerman screened on the play, but Schuerman shifted in time to cradle the save and preserve the 1-0 score.
Freshman Greg Dalby nearly scored what would have been a dramatic tying goal with five seconds left to play, on a ball lofted into the crowded penalty box area – but Schuerman tipped the ball over the net to seal the win.
Notre Dame 0 0 – 0
Connecticut 1 0 – 1
UConn 1. Easton Wilson 1 (Mpho Moloi) 41:15
Shots: ND 4-7 -11, UConn 7-4 – 11.
Corner Kicks: ND 1-7 – 8, UConn 0-3 – 3.
Saves: ND 4 (Chris Sawyer), UConn 6 (Adam Schuerman 5, team 1).
Fouls: ND 8, UConn 8.
Offsides: ND 1, UConn 4.