University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
USF
Fugowski Leads Huskies Past USF, 3-0
10/10/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Oct. 10, 2010
STORRS, Conn. - The UConn women's soccer team earned a crucial 3-0 victory over USF today at Joseph J. Morrone Stadium in front of 947 fans. Sophomore Linda Ruutu (Espoo, Finland) scored the game winner midway through the first half. The Huskies limited USF to four shots on the game, holding the Bulls without an attempt on goal for the final 45 minutes. Junior Jessica Dulski (Pittsford, N.Y.) combined with sophomore Ally Mancino (Belle Mead, N.J.) for the shutout.
With the 3-0 victory today, coupled with a Providence College loss, UConn (7-6-2, 3-3-1 BIG EAST) moves into third place in the BIG EAST American Division heading into the final four games of the regular season. USF falls to 7-4-3 overall with a 2-3-2 mark in BIG EAST action.
Connecticut needed a victory today to improve in the standings after a tough 1-0 loss to No. 23 Marquette on Friday evening. UConn dominated the play throughout the game today, allowing just two shots on net in 90 minutes. The offense ran through senior Elise Fugowski (Stockholm, N.J.) in the midfield throughout the game. Fugowski nearly opened the scoring at 20:26 when her shot from 18 yards out hit off the cross bar.
Fugowski created the first goal of the game when she dribbled along the top of the South Florida box before touching a pass to Ruutu. Ruutu placed her shot from the top of the box into the left side-netting to put UConn up, 1-0. The goal was Ruutu's first of the season after leading the Huskies in 2009 with eight. Fugowski earned her fourth assist of the year with the pass.
Fugowski put UConn ahead, 2-0, just 3 minutes later with a well placed shot from 12 yards out. Senior Erin Clark (Somers, Conn.) outraced her defender down the left sideline before sending a square ball into the box to junior Melissa Busque (St. Bruno, Quebec). Busque, with her back to the net, touched the ball to Fugowski at the penalty spot. Fugowski made no mistake as she placed the ball into the lower right corner past the helpless USF goalkeeper. The goal was Fugowski's second with Busque and Clark earning their fourth and second assists, respectively.
Connecticut made it 3-0 at 51:10 when leading scorer Angelika Johansson (Falkenberg, Sweden) put home her sixth tally of the season. Freshman Devin Prendergast (Babylon, N.Y.) blasted a shot from 20 yards out that was saved by the USF goalkeeper. The ball squirted away from the keeper's grasp and Johansson quickly pounced on the loose ball, slamming it into the open net.
UConn finished the game with a decisive edge in shots, 18-4, and held the edge in corners, 4-2.
The Huskies will host the last two home games of the season next weekend beginning with No. 5 Notre Dame on Friday, October 15 at 4:30 p.m. Admission is free for all UConn students. UConn will then host DePaul at 1 p.m. on Sunday, October 17. Sunday's game will also be senior day as UConn will honor the eight graduating players.
