Transfer Ponce having nice impact on Huskies

(19) Connecticut

Last season: 11-5-6 in Big East Blue;
Result: Finished second in regular season conference standings; lost in first round of conference tournament
Head coach: Ray Reid
Key Returners: M Mike Pezza (Sr.), M Tony Cascio (So.), M Robert Brickley (Jr.), D Shawn Nicklaw
Key Subtractions: F O’Brian White, M Dori Arad, M Akeem Priestley

2009 SKINNY

Transfer Alan Ponce has highlighted the young season for the Connecticut Huskies thus far. The junior forward from Rio Hondo Community College in Whittier, California, has shown that he’s more than capable of stepping in to provide some offense. He already has two goals and will certainly be a part of the group that helps the program absorb the loss of 2008 leading scorer O’Brian White.

Senior Mike Pezza is a big talent, and critical returner for the Huskies along with midfielders Tony Cascio and Robert Brickley.

On the defensive side Connecticut lost a vital player or two, but junior Shawn Nicklaw was a major contributor from a year ago and brings a veteran leadership the Huskies can benefit from.

Coach Ray Reid is one of the top coaches in the conference and has a strong presence about him that shouldn’t be discounted when evaluating the prospects for Uconn in 2009. His teams tend to play together, which helps to give a program a strong identity regardless of the players shuffling in and out of the lineup.

Connecticut opened its Big East schedule with a nice 2-1 win over Villanova on Friday when Ponce provided the game-winning score.

They have another big road contest against Rutgers before running into conference pacesetter the St. John’s(m) Red Storm.