Rutgers women's lacrosse defense falls short in 11-goal loss to Northwestern
The Rutgers women's lacrosse team was dominated 22-11 by Northwestern on Saturday evening at the Ryan Fieldhouse in Evanston, Illinois. The Scarlet Knights (5-6, 0-3) could not stop the Wildcats' (10-2, 2-1) offensive prowess throughout the game.
Throughout the first quarter of the game, Rutgers and No. 3 Northwestern fought for possession of the ball. Graduate student midfielder Cassidy Spilis tallied the 1st goal for the Knights to equal the score following Madison Taylor's opening goal.
Rutgers and the Wildcats each scored another goal as the two continued to battle for the lead. Junior midfielder and attacker Victoria Goldrick scored for the Knights with a free position shot to make the score 2-2.
Rutgers would have an uphill climb once Northwestern started to score consistently. Before the quarter was over, the Wildcats added 3 more goals, all from Taylor and Izzy Scane.
With 0:40 remaining in the opening quarter, Spilis added 1 more goal, cutting the Knights' deficit to 5-3.
Northwestern consistently controlled the ball in the second quarter, resulting in 9 goals. Spilis and senior midfielder Ashley Moynahan each scored once to briefly help Rutgers during the quarter.
The Wildcats saw scoring outbursts from several players in the opening half. Taylor netted 4 goals before halftime, while Lindsey Frank, Erin Coykendall and Mary Schumar scored 2 goals apiece.
With a 14-5 Northwestern lead entering the third quarter, the Knights had a long shot of coming back. Rutgers scored 4 goals in the quarter as sophomore attacker and midfielder Lily Dixon found the net at the beginning of the quarter, with Moynahan producing a goal shortly after.
The Wildcats responded with a goal every time the Knights scored, allowing them to maintain their lead.
Freshmen midfielders Reese Robinson and Payton Tini added 2 more goals to Rutgers' total at the end of the quarter. Northwestern added 4 goals to extend its lead to 18–9.
The Wildcats took total control of the game in the last quarter, scoring 4 unanswered goals. The Knights did not score until Spilis added 2 goals at the end of the quarter.
Rutgers will be back on its home field in Piscataway to meet with Hofstra on Wednesday evening. Stepping away from conference opponents and being back at SHI Stadium on Livingston campus could help the Knights generate the win they are looking for.
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