Busque scores fourth game winner of the year

When Georgetown's Sara Jordan tied Sunday's game at 1-1 in the 76th minute, it seemed destined the match would go into overtime, and fans at Morrone Stadium would be treated to free soccer. Brittany Taylor didn't let that happen.

Taylor led a charge over 80 yards down the field that culminated into a goal by Melissa Busque less than two minutes after the Hoyas tied the game. The chip shot from Busque gave UConn a 2-1 lead. After Georgetown could not convert on opportunities late in the game, the Huskies held on for the win. Busque's goal, her fifth of the year and fourth game-winner, helped UConn improve to 9-3 overall, with a 4-1 Big East record that propelled them to first place in the American division. The heart and late rally in the game was something these Huskies lacked last season.

"Last year when the other team would score, we'd give up," Busque said. "This year we never give up."

Busque's goal brought her point total to 15 in 2009, tied for the team lead with Linda Ruutu. Ruutu started Sunday's scoring in the 38th minute when she notched her sixth goal of the season. Elise Fugowski and Jessica Shufelt assisted the play. The tandem of Busque and Ruutu have gone back and forth as points leaders, but as long as UConn ends the game in a win, both are pleased.

"The most important thing is that the team scores goals," Ruutu said. "It doesn't really matter who scores them."

The defense withheld a late push by Georgetown. After Busque's goal, the Hoyas had a great opportunity to tie the game twice. Both shots hit the left post. The last chance came in the game's waning moments. A Hoya shot got past a diving Jessica Dulski before ricocheting off the post as the final seconds ticked off the clock.

"I think they could've tied it, but we also could've had two or three goals," said coach Len Tsantiris. "They came back. I don't think they beat our backs. The other shots they took that hit the posts were good shots."

Seniors Taylor and Lauren Ebert played the entire game on defense, as did Kacey Richards. Freshman Danielle Dakin also played hard-nosed defense and contributed throughout the game.

"The team's defense starts the offense," Dakin said. "It's all about getting the ball up to the forwards and being aggressive."

Dakin, the 2008 Massachusetts Gatorade Player of the Year, has started every game this season and is thankful for the opportunity.

"Coming in you never know with all the great players," Dakin said. "You have to come in and try your best."

Dakin has showed she belongs on the field with all the great players, and continues to be an anchor on defense.

On Friday evening, UConn defeated a strong Villanova team before 1,412 lively fans at Morrone Stadium. Ruutu's goal in the 14th minute proved to be all the Huskies would need in the 1-0 victory. Erin Clark and Busque assisted the game's lone goal. The Huskies beat the Wildcats in the shot battle 21-13, but had an ample number of opportunities to stretch the score. But the Villanova defense, especially goalkeeper Molly Williams who saved 10 shots in the game, kept their team within striking distance.

"The most important thing is that we played well. It was a pressure situation against a good team," Tsantiris said. "We could've concentrated a little but more. It could've been easier if we paid a little more attention, but that's going to come."

Ruutu's goal remained the difference thanks to outstanding goalkeeping by Dulski, who saved five shots in the shutout. The Friday night victory was a quality win, but was overshadowed by Sunday's memorable match. The win over Georgetown would not have happened in 2008, as Taylor's charge displayed leadership that was nowhere to be found last season.

"The response was great," Tsantiris said.