STORRS, Conn. --  The University of Connecticut men's soccer team defeated Marquette 3-0 in the regular season finale in front of 2,140 fans Monday at Morrone Stadium. With the win, UConn clinched the Blue Division's top seed in the upcoming BIG EAST Men's Soccer Championship. Meanwhile, Marquette's No. 6 seed and first-round opponent was already determined prior to Monday's match with Huskies.

With the win, No. 8/8 Connecticut improves to 11-3-3 overall and claims the division championship with an 8-2-1 record in the BIG EAST. MU concludes the regular season with a 4-10-3 overall mark, including a 3-5-3 record in conference action.

"Connecticut is a good team and especially at home," said Marquette head coach Louis Bennett. "They use every advantage they can get, including the home field. I think the game got away from us after we gave away the second goal, which happened to be the second of two mistakes in our own defensive third."

UConn's first goal of the evening came on a free kick just five minutes in. Huskies forward Alan Ponce had possession in the middle of the field where he tried to maneuver around a trio of Marquette defenders but was fouled in the process. Midfielder Mike Pezza took the direct free kick from 25 yards which he sent over the MU wall and past a diving Keenan Flynn to give his squad an early 1-0 lead.

Ponce capitalized on his next opportunity, adding to the UConn lead in the 34th minute when he gathered the rebound on a shot by teammate Toni Stahl. Stahl's shot was blocked by a Marquette defender and Ponce settled the ball and deposited in to the back of the net to make it 2-0 in favor of the Huskies.

Play turned physical and tensions mounted midway through the second half. Marquette picked up three yellow cards during an 11 minute stretch that also included a brief skirmish on the sidelines where both benches exchanged words with each other.

Shortly after things settled down, the Huskies picked up their third goal when Thomas Warf received a through ball from Mike Pezza near post, where there were no MU defenders to clear the ball as Check had retreated from the goaline.

Marquette did not get a shot off until the second half and finished with six shots overall.

"For us, we are a different team without key players," said Bennett. "One positive of the game is that we battled back in the second half and curbed their enthusiasm. We began to flow with some familiarity. I'm disappointed but in the big picture I'm proud of the fact that this group has now put themselves in postseason play."

Marquette rested captain Scott Miller and regular starting goalkeeper Matt Pyzdrowski in an attempt to keep them healthy for the upcoming BIG EAST tournament. Miller had played every minute of every match this season heading into tonight, while Pyzdrowski was coming off his single-season career high fifth shutout of the campaign in MU's 5-0 rout over Pittsburgh on Saturday.

Monday's match was a make-up contest from last Wednesday's (Oct. 28) postponed match with the Huskies after rain last week rendered the playing surface at Morrone Stadium unplayable.

Head coach Louis Bennett's squad now changes gears to prep for MU's first postseason appearance since 2002, as the Golden Eagles get set to face USF in the first round of the BIG EAST Men's Soccer Championship on Thursday, Nov. 5. Marquette rallied from an early deficit to draw with the Bulls, 1-1, back on Oct. 18. Kick off is set for 6:30 p.m. CT.
 

---

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

Recruiting Roundup: November 4-10

ECNL Girls AZ: U19 Players to Watch

Commitments: Top Talent Stays in Texas