BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The No. 18 UConn men’s soccer team was blanked by No. 24 Notre Dame on Friday evening, 3-0, at Jerry Yeagley Field – dropping its first match of the 2018 season to its old Big East rival.

The Huskies (2-1-0) were outshot, 10-4, managing only a couple good scoring chances throughout the contest against the nationally-ranked Fighting Irish (1-0-1). Freshman goalkeeper Gianluca Catalano made a pair of saves in the losing effort.

It is UConn’s fourth-straight loss to Notre Dame, tying the all-time series with the Irish (11-11-4). Friday was the first time since the 2012 campaign that both teams were ranked when facing one another.

Notre Dame’s Blake Townes broke a scoreless tie in the 32^nd minute, giving Notre Dame a 1-0 lead after Catalano had made two nice saves to start the match for the Huskies.

Aiden McFadden (60^th) tallied on a cross from Sean Macleod and Patrick Berneski (67^th) converted on a header off a corner kick from Tommy McCabe – extending Notre Dame’s advantage to 3-0 and sinking the Huskies in the first of five matches against ranked opponents this season (according to United Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll).

Physicality was evident as the teams went head-to-head over the course of the match, resulting in 24 fouls (17 by Notre Dame). Most of the game was played between the penalty boxes, as only three corner kicks were taken in 90 minutes of regulation.

One of UConn’s best chances came in the 88^th minute, as sophomore midfielder Josh Burnett fired a shot off the crossbar that deflected straight down, but not over the goal line. Notre Dame goalie Ryan Krutz recorded his first shutout of the season.

In the 44^th minute, redshirt junior Dayonn Harris ripped a shot out of Krutz’s reach, but just over the crossbar – denying the Huskies the equalizing tally just before halftime. UConn accounted for just one shot on goal and one corner kick against the Irish’s pressing attack.

No. 18 UConn has a great opportunity to bounce back on Sunday night when it takes on No. 6 Indiana – the national runner-up from a year ago – at Yeagley Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET and a live stream will be available on BTN Plus for paid subscribers.

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