Rutgers women's soccer scores late to defeat NJIT 1-0 in season opener
The Rutgers women’s soccer team opened the 2024 season with a narrow 1-0 road win over NJIT. The Scarlet Knights (1-0, 0-0) dominated for much of the game, attempting 27 shots with five on target. The Highlanders (0-1, 0-0) played more defensively and tried to play for a draw in the first-ever meeting between both teams.
Head coach Mike O’Neill went with a younger lineup, starting one freshman and five sophomores. Many other freshmen saw action off the bench, like defenders Riley Morris, Mikayla Mandleur and midfielder Gabby Miller.
In the 21st minute, sophomore midfielder Patricia Tsokos attempted the Knights' first shot of the season, but NJIT goalkeeper Mojisola Ayodele saved. One minute later, redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Olivia Bodmer was forced into her first save of the season off the Highlanders' first shot on goal.
Rutgers continued to push for the opening goal, with Mandleur's one-time shot being the best opportunity of the half. The Knights went into the break level but had the advantage in the shot category, outshooting NJIT 7-4.
Rutgers had most of the ball in the second half and pressured the Highlanders' backline. Despite their dominance, the Knights largely struggled to take advantage of their set pieces and put their shots on target.
With less than 7 minutes to go, it looked like Rutgers would tie its season opener for the first time since 2002. But with the Knights’ 15th corner kick of the night, senior forward Riley Tiernan’s inswinging cross was headed home by senior defender Emily Mason for her 5th career goal.
NJIT nearly leveled the game minutes later, but Bodmer made an outstanding save to seal the win and earn her 10th career shutout.
Rutgers will now turn its attention to Sunday’s home opener against Wake Forest, which will kick off at 1 p.m. at Yurcak Field on Busch campus. The game will be broadcast on Big Ten Plus and 88.7 WRSU-FM.
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