HARTFORD, Conn. — Senior John Denis headed home the game-winning goal in the 84th minute and had a say in all three Columbia scores, as the Lions walked away victorious at UConn, 3-2, Friday night at Dillon Stadium.
 
"We're happy about the result. We've been able to put together moments in each of our first five games and our guys have stuck with it," head coach Kevin Anderson stated. "Tonight was the most complete performance over 90 minutes that we have had all season on both sides of the ball.
 
"Anytime you can come away with a win against a storied program like UConn on the road it's a great result. Both Coach Pollard and I played for Coach Reid in college. We have a lot of respect for him and this program."
 
Denis buried a direct free kick in the 15th minute to open the scoring, assisted a go-ahead goal by first-year Uri Zeitz in the 62nd minute and answered the call one more time with a late winner in the 84th. Denis's final goal was a headed effort off a cross from Sebastian Gunbeyi, pushing the Lions right back in front less than three minutes after UConn had equalized.
 
"He's getting himself into spots where he's able to be at his best," said head coach Kevin Anderson on the senior. "He does some of that by his own talents and the design of our team. He was able to take advantage of it tonight and was involved in each of those goals. Equally, John had a very good performance defensively."
 
Zeitz's goal was initiated by a free kick just outside the far-right corner of the penalty area. Denis stood over the ball and played it outside the center of the area to Zeitz, who controlled the pass with his left before striking a hard right-footed shot that rose over the Connecticut keeper and slammed inside the roof of the net. The goal was the first of the rookie's collegiate career.
 
"I thought John and Uri showed some great awareness to be alert and execute quickly," Anderson added. "For Uri to finish that one the way he did was a fantastic. It's a culmination of the effort he and everyone on the team has put in during the preseason."
 
Resilient Columbia (1-2-2) earned its first win of the season. The Lions had scored in each of their first four matches heading into Friday night, earning a season-opening draw at Omaha and a home-opening draw against Army. Meanwhile, UConn (3-4-0) was dealt just its second home loss. The Huskies are playing the remainder of their 2019 home slate in Hartford as the university builds a new stadium on campus.
 
Columbia had the better part of a first half that saw both teams put two shots apiece on target. Denis's first goal was set up by a foul committed against Beto Carrillo about 23 yards out. The senior midfielder stood over the free kick and fired a perfect shot over the wall that curled right into the top corner to give the Lions the opening tally.
 
UConn answered 10 minutes later when leading goal scorer Jordan Hall headed in a long ball over the top from Josh Morgan. The goal was Hall's eighth of the season and would be the last before the break as the two sides went into the locker rooms level at a goal apiece.
 
Columbia was on the defensive the better part of the second half but countered well to find the back of the net twice. Zetiz's go-ahead goal was set up by the counter. In the seconds following a UConn corner, Michael Collodi drove a hard through ball the length of the field to a breaking Sebastian Gunbeyi on the far side. Gunbeyi was fouled just outside the penalty area, giving the Lions a free kick that Denis squared to Zeitz for a 2-1 lead.
 
Again, the Huskies equalized off a long ball. With less than 10 minutes to play, Robin Lapert headed a free kick that was sent in from about 35 yards out over Collodi to make it a 2-2 game.
 
However, Columbia would not be denied its first win. Gunbeyi had possession of the ball facing away from goal on the near side of the penalty area. The sophomore quickly cut back around a UConn defender and delivered a left-footed cross into the box that found a leaping Denis, who headed the game winner from between two defenders and into the right side of goal.
 
Columbia returns home for its next match, taking on Long Island Monday. Kickoff from Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium is set for 7 p.m.
 
For the latest on the Columbia men's soccer program, follow @ColumbiaMSoccer on Twitter and Instagram, on Facebook at Facebook.com/ColumbiaMensSoccer and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.