No. 15 Rutgers field hockey bests No.6 UConn
Friday night’s matchup between the No.15 Rutgers field hockey team and No.6 UConn took extra time and ended in a ranked victory for the Scarlet Knights (3-0, 0-0).
For the first time since 2001, Rutgers defeated the Huskies (2-2, 0-0), this time by a score of 2-1. The matchup against UConn was the second ranked opponent the Knights faced in this young season, with both teams being ranked in the top 12. The victory was tied for the highest-ranked opponent head coach Meredith Civico took down on the road.
The opening period ended in a scoreless tie after Rutgers fired three shots and the only penalty corner. Less than 2 minutes into the second quarter, senior back Kerrie Burns passed the ball into the circle where junior midfielder Carly Snarski tapped the ball in for her first collegiate goal.
After the first half of play, the Knights maintained a single goal lead, courtesy of Snarski as well as a 7-0 shot advantage.
The Huskies registered their first shot following a corner stroke in the third quarter. Senior goalkeeper Gianna Glatz came up with the stop to keep Rutgers’ narrow advantage. Glatz came up with another save with just more than 10 minutes to go in the game. With seven and a half minutes remaining in regulation, UConn capitalized on a long pass that led to a shot Glatz couldn’t save.
Through 60 minutes, the Knights hammered 10 shots compared to the Huskies’ four. Rutgers also maintained the lead in corners, 5-1.
The first overtime period was eventful but neither broke through. In the second, freshman back/midfielder Iris Langejans launched a shot on a fast break that was stopped, but the Knights' offensive threat wasn’t over as they were given a penalty stroke. Senior midfielder Milena Redlingshoefer lined up and converted the shot, good for her second goal of the season. She leads Rutgers in points this season with eight.
The Knights have the week off, but lining up against top 25 opponents is far from over. This Friday, Rutgers hosts No.14 Syracuse for its home opener. The Orange (2-1, 0-0) are coming off a 1-2 overtime defeat at the hands of Kent State.
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