University of Connecticut Athletics
Huskies Put Three-Game Unbeaten Streak On The Line
10/21/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Oct. 21, 2010
STORRS, Conn. - The UConn Huskies are on a three-game unbeaten streak having won two of the last three and earning a draw with No. 4/5 Notre Dame. Connecticut will play a pair of road games beginning with No. 23 West Virginia on Friday night at 7 p.m. before concluding the regular season with a 1 p.m. contest at Pittsburgh on Sunday, October 24. The Huskies stand at 8-6-3 overall including a 4-3-2 mark in the BIG EAST Conference. UConn currently sits tied for third in the BIG EAST American Division with USF.
Connecticut is coming off its most successful stretch of the season since early September when UConn won four-straight, including victories over a pair of ranked opponents. UConn defeated USF, 3-0, on October 10 in Storrs before earning a gutsy 1-1 tie with Notre Dame on October 15. The Huskies finished the home schedule with a convincing 3-0 victory over DePaul on October 17.
In that stretch, UConn has outscored its opponents, 7-2. Over the past three games, UConn has been led by sophomore preseason All-BIG EAST selection Linda Ruutu (Espoo, Finland). Ruutu started the year off slowly but has been a constant force in the past few games, tallying a goal in each contest, including the game-winner over USF and the game-tying goal in the 88th minute against Notre Dame.
Junior goalkeeper Jessica Dulski (Pittsford, N.Y.) has been sensational in net for UConn this season. Over the past three games, Dulski recorded 12 saves, including six to keep the Huskies in striking distance against Notre Dame. On the season, Dulski has started every game, posting a .800 save percentage and a 0.98 goals against average.
No. 23 West Virginia comes into Friday night's contest on a roll, having won seven-straight games and clinching a bye in the first round of the BIG EAST Tournament. WVU stands at 11-4-1 overall and 7-1-1 in the BIG EAST. The Mountaineers are led offensively by Blake Miller's eight goals and three assists for 19 points. In goal, WVU has started senior Kerri Butler in every contest. Butler has posted nine shutouts on the season based on a .806 save percentage and a 0.85 goals against average.
Pittsburgh currently sits in last place in the BIG EAST American Division with a 2-6-1 mark in BIG EAST action and a 5-10-2 overall record. Sophomore Ashley Cuba leads the team with six goals this season and 12 points. Pittsburgh has started senior goalkeeper Morie Kephart in all 17 contests. She owns a 1.38 goals against average and a .736 save percentage.
Live stats are available for both games through UConnhuskies.com.
