O'Brian White struggles to control the ball against West Virginia.

UConn hopes to end uncommon losing streak at Georgetown

By: Marc Gauthier

Posted: 10/10/08

For the first time since 2005, the men's soccer team enters a regular season game with a two-game losing streak. The last time the Huskies lost three consecutive regular-season games was back in 1997.

"I'm not even looking at [the statistics]," said coach Ray Reid. "I'm just worried about getting us back to winning.

On Saturday, the No. 13 Huskies (5-3-3, 3-3 Big East) will try to put this two-game streak behind them as they head to Washington, D.C. to take on Big East foe Georgetown (7-2-2, 2-2-2 Big East) at noon.

The Huskies' 1-0 loss on Wednesday to Providence marks the third loss in their last four games. In that game, Providence scored in the 34th minute of play. UConn had several chances to tie the game but never found the back of the net. In UConn's last two losses, the opposing team was the first to score, and they scored early in the first half of play.

"We came out in the first 30 minutes and we dictated the game," said coach Ray Reid. "But they had a goal and we got a little bit nervous. We panicked and it rattled us a little bit."

After Wednesday's game, Reid gave his players the day off on Thursday. The team will leave for Georgetown around midmorning on Friday.

As of Oct. 6, Georgetown was ranked fourth in the country in shutout percentage (.700) and save percentage (.925). The Hoyas are also sixth in the nation in goals against average (.400).

In the Big East, Georgetown is ranked first in fewest goals allowed, only letting up three goals so far this season. UConn has allowed seven goals in 11 games this season.

Senior midfielder Peter Grasso leads the Hoyas on offensive with a team high four goals so far this season. Grasso also leads the Big east in game-winning goals with three this season.

"It'll be a tough game for sure," Reid said. "They're very good defensively, they've got good flank players and they've got a good goalkeeper."

One of Georgetown's two losses was to No. 11 South Florida. The other loss was also a 1-0 decision to Providence.

UConn senior captain O'Brian White leads the team in goals and total points with four and 10, respectively. Junior Mike Pezza leads the team with four assists

Through 11 games last season the Huskies had scored 23 goals. So far, this season they've scored 11. O'Brian White had scored eight goals; this year he has four. The team had 10 wins, one loss and no ties. They have five wins, three losses and three ties. Reid said at the beginning of the season this team may have more losses, but may go farther in the NCAA tournament.

Senior captain Karl Schilling was wearing a knee brace on his right knee and was using crutches after UConn's lost to West Virginia last Friday. He will not play against Georgetown this weekend.

UConn has not lost to Georgetown since 2001. The Huskies were at Georgetown when they lost.

"We're a good team," Reid said. "We just need to relax and we just have to settle down a bit."