Spring Break
Huskies look to keep Big East hopes alive against Pitt, WVU
Dennis Rizzo
Issue date: 10/10/08 Section: Sports
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Tonight, UConn (3-7-3, 1-2-2 Big East) travels to Pittsburgh (4-9, 1-4) to battle a struggling Panthers team that has lost six of its last seven games. Sunday, the Huskies close out their road Big East schedule with a matchup in Morgantown against No. 15 West Virginia (7-2-4, 2-1-2).
For the Huskies though, time is running out.
"We have to win," said Tsantiris. "We still have a chance to make the Big East Tournament. We are in charge of our own destiny."
Frustration is the best way to describe the soccer team's journey his season. Bad luck is a big reason why the team is now fighting for its postseason life.
Tsantiris said his team has done the right things to win almost every game, but has just missed its chances. Tsantiris felt especially strong towards the game this past weekend, which UConn lost to Cincinnati 2-1.
"Cincinnati did not do anything to deserve to win," Tsantiris said.
Cincinnati's first goal came on a penalty kick in the final minute of the second half, which Tsantiris admitted was the result of a defensive mistake by the Huskies. The Bearcats second goal however, came on a play which Tsantiris thought was clearly offsides.
Another chapter in the Huskies' frustrating story this year is injuries.
Last season, junior Lauren Ebert started all 22 games for the Huskies defense that tallied 11 shutouts and only gave up 14 goals during the season. She will be absent from the Huskies' lineup this weekend, however, due to injury.
UConn could also be missing their leading scorer, junior forward Annie Yi, this weekend due to injury. Her absence on the offensive end will be felt if she is unable to play. So far this season, Yi has accounted for nearly 50 percent of the UConn's offense this year, scoring four of the team's nine total goals.
Sophomore midfielder Becky Gundling also appears doubtful for the game this weekend because of injury. Gundling gained valuable experience last season, starting 19 games for the Huskies. She has also started nine of the 10 games this season.
Despite these injuries, a bright spot for the Huskies has been the emergence of the upperclassmen on the offensive end.
In UConn's 1-1 tie against Louisville last Friday, senior Elizabeth Eng netted her first goal of the season. That goal came on her 29th shot of the season.
"It's been frustrating this year," Tsantiris said. "We cannot do anything about it though. Other kids have to step up."
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