UConn Huskies Sports Roundup, October 19th, 2011

Women's Cross Country: UConn's team is nationally ranked for the first time in program history. The USTFCCCA announced yesterday that the Huskies were ranked 28th in the nation. This comes following a 2nd place finish at Penn State Nationals. A press release on the UConn website can be found here and quotes coach Andrea Grove-McDonough as saying "I am so happy for the team and for what this will mean to them. These women have worked so hard this summer. Right from the start when we talked about bringing Connecticut to the NCAA Championships in Cross Country.... This team ... believed that it was possible, and set about quietly making it happen. They should all be very proud of themselves," We haven't reached the championships yet, but we're well on our well.

Field Hockey: For the eighth straight week, the Huskies are ranked #4 in the NFHCA Coaches Poll. The Top 3 of Old Dominion, UNC, and Maryland also remained the same. Notably, however, Duke leapfrogged Syracuse to #5, relegating the Orange to #6. The Orange and Huskies will square off on Sunday at noon for the Big East regular season championship. But first, the Huskies host Boston University tonight at 7:00. That game can be seen on Huskies All-Access.

The Huskies upset
Michael Budd and
UMass Lowell in
Nashua, NH last night.

Men's Soccer: So much for the undefeated season. UConn was dealt their first loss yesterday, 2-0  at West Virginia. The Huskies fall to 13-1-1, and are 4-1-1 in Big East play. Fortunately, they will still be in second place in the Blue Division heading into the weekend, but will host Georgetown on Saturday at 7:30 PM in a crucial contest. That is Senior Night and will be on WHUS and All-Access. The Huskies will then host Marquette a week from today which could decide the Blue Division Champion.

Men's Ice Hockey: Marcello Ranallo scored the game-winning goal in OT and the Huskies defeated UMass-Lowell, 3-2. UConn improves to 2-1-1 on the year. Miles Winter and Brant Harris also scored for the Huskies. This was an impressive victory because the Riverhawks were heavy favorites heading in. Hopefully this is a sign of a good seasonf or us. UConn's next game is on the road at Merrimack on Saturday at 7:00 PM. The Huskies then return home October 27th for a rare Thursday night game vs. Atlantic Hockey rival Holy Cross.