Aug. 24, 2014 Box Score
STORRS, Conn. - A late UConn goal in the 77th minute downed Navy women's soccer, 2-1, Sunday at Joseph J. Morrone Stadium. The Mids continue their five-match road trip with two games in Florida next weekend against South Florida (Friday) and Stetson (Sunday).
"We are always looking for improvement as individuals and as a whole and I think we really possessed well and we were patient in attacking against a historically tough UConn squad today," Navy head coach Carin Gabarra. "I credit our players for stepping up from Friday's match and now we have to respond and realize what we can do better moving forward."
UConn (2-0) had slight advantages in shots, 15-13 and corner kicks, 7-3. Senior captain Morgan Dankanich (Glenmoore, Pa.) tallied Navy's lone goal of the match. Senior Julie Schumacher (Plantation, Fla.) and freshman Natalie Dzhandzhapanyan (Diamond Bar, Calif.) both recorded an assist on the goal.
Navy goalkeeper Dayton Wetherby (Wesley Chapel, Fla.) had another strong effort in net, tallying six saves on eight chances. UConn goalie Emily Armstrong recorded four saves on five chances in net for the win.
With the score tied 1-1 through 45 minutes, UConn grabbed the late lead in the 77th minute. The Huskies were attacking at the top of the 18-yard box when midfielder Julie Hubbard found teammate Samantha McGuire open just outside the box. McGuire settled the pass and launched a high shot across the box and went by Wetherby for the go-ahead goal.
Navy came out strong in the first half, tallying the first goal of the match in the 26th minute off the foot of Dankanich. Schumacher hit a well-placed ball in the air from midfield into UConn's defensive third to Dzhandzhapanyan. Dzhandzhapanyan flicked the ball with her head and led a streaking Dankanich towards the 18-yard box. Dankanich took control of the pass and finished to the far post.
UConn responded five minutes later to tie the game, 1-1, in the 31st minute. Off the bench, Liana Hinds took the ball deep into Navy's defensive third and sent a cross into the six-yard box. Rachel Hill redirected the pass off her head and beat Navy goalkeeper Dayton Wetherby for the equalizer.
