The Daily Campus

Issue date: 9/4/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Matt Lin Cruz Hernandez filled in at defender due to injuries and helped the Huskies in a 1-0 win over Stony Brook.

Defensive prowess was a trademark of UConn's Big East Champion team in 2007, and it appears 2008 will be much of the same. If defense wins championships, then No. 3 UConn's performance in Wednesday night's 1-0 win was a good sign.

The Huskies (2-0-1) held Stony Brook (0-2-1) to seven shots, only three of which were on goal. This strong defensive performance came despite UConn was missing two of their starting defenders: Kwame Watson-Siriboe and Greg King.

Filling in for Watson-Siriboe and King were Robert Brickley and Cruz Hernandez. Hernandez, a junior college transfer from California, is normally a defender coming off the bench and looked good. Brickley, who had to move back from midfield to fill in, turned in an equally solid performance, which highlights the depth of the team.

"They did really good," said head coach Ray Reid. "The guys are working hard together. All 10 of them."

Senior captain Karl Schilling agreed with Reid.

"They did a great job," said Schilling. "Cruz is a guy who's been getting good time and Brick is guy who was playing a little out of position a little and he's done that for us before. He's a classy guy who plays with his head."

According to Reid, both Watson-Siriboe and King will play on Saturday when UConn faces Boston University. Though the starters are back, both Reid and the team can rest assured they have capable reserves.

Josh Ford, who has played every minute of every game since arriving at UConn, cemented the solid defensive performance by quickly removing any legitimate scoring threat that Stony Brook presented for his 16th career shutout, and second of the fledgling season.

Although the Seawolves' scoring opportunities were few and far between, Schilling was skeptical to attribute it to exceptional defense by the Huskies, but to Stony Brook's game plan.

"Their team was playing not to lose," Schilling said. "So that definitely helps."

Schilling also made sure to mention that regardless of the score, there were still areas on defense where UConn can improve.

"It got a little sloppy at times," Schilling said. "When you're under no pressure, you should have zero mistakes."

With the win as well as the shutout, Reid was not necessarily happy, but took what it could get.

"We've got to do better facing those numbers, but to be fair it's a very difficult way to play," Reid said. "I'm not happy, but we got the win."

The frustration resulting from Stony Brook's style - they dropped 10 on defense - was palpable at halftime, according to Reid.

"That was the idea, to try to frustrate us," said Reid. "I just told them to relax and be patient."

With the offense not scoring, one would think the pressure on the defense to step up would be raised. Not the case, said Schilling.

"We felt, and I think most of the people in the stadium felt, that a goal was inevitable," Schilling said.

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