BOYDS, Md. – The BIG EAST Men’s Soccer Championship Presented by JEEP opened Thursday night with No. 3 seed UConn securing a 2-1 victory over No. 2 seed Akron. The Huskies advance to the BIG EAST title game for the 13th time in program history, and first appearance since 2011.
Through the first 45-minutes both defenses withstood a share of scoring opportunities to enter the break in a scoreless 0-0 draw. Akron (11-4-3, 5-2-1 BIG EAST) held a 2-1 shot on goal advantage in the first half.
Out of the break, it was the Zips that stuck first as reigning BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year Stefan Dobrijevic dished a line drive across the 18-yard box to Tyler O’Rourke for the opening strike in the 49th minute.