Schulmann strikes again as Huskies cruise

With Big East play starting next week, there’s one name that should give UConn’s conference foes nightmares: Danielle Schulmann. The senior striker scored a goal and notched two assists to give the Huskies (3-2-1) a 3-1 victory over the Marist Red Foxes (3-2-0) at a slick-pitched Marrone Stadium last night.

“She played great,” said head coach Len Tsantiris.

Almost 20 minutes into the game, Marist cleared the ball toward the left sideline, but the Huskies regained possession after senior midfielder Linda Ruutu tracked it down. Ruutu whipped a cross into the box and the ball rolled to Schulmann’s foot. Schulmann scored her fourth goal of the year and gave the Huskies a 1-0 lead.

“One of our players and one of their defenders went for a header, and I just touched it in,” Schulmann said.

Just two minutes later, the Huskies found themselves attacking the Red Foxes. Schulmann received the ball in the attacking third and chipped it over the head of the Marist center backs. It landed right in stride with sophomore Riley Houle, who scored her first goal of the yea.

“That little chip ball almost works every time if played right,” Schulmann said. [Houle] finished it really well.”

Marist was able to find the back of the net midway through the second half to make the score 2-1. With the momentum on the Red Foxes side, the Huskies went to their senior in the 77th minute. Schulmann received the ball with space at midfield and cut to her left. A Marist defender fouled her from behind, but Schulmann stayed on her feet and the referee let the game play on. Schulmann was able to tap the ball to Stephanie Ribiero, who launched a rocket from 25 yards into the goal to put the Huskies up for good. It was Schulmann’s fifth assist of the young season.

“I probably was going to shoot it but then my last touch too hard,” Schulmann said. “So I just poked it to her and she’s just really good at finishing.”