No. 9 Rutgers field hockey shuts out Vermont in season opener
The Rutgers field hockey team won in its season opener against Vermont on Sunday at the Bauer Track and Field Complex on Livingston campus. The Scarlet Knights (1-0, 0-0) shut out the Catamounts (0-2, 0-0) with a 5-0 victory to start the season.
No. 9 Rutgers struck first in the home opener, taking the lead in the late minutes of the first quarter. Redshirt junior forward Indy van Ek got things going for the Knights, potting the game’s opening goal.
Rutgers continued on its streak, scoring again about halfway through the second quarter. This time, senior midfielder Guillermina Causarano scored on a penalty corner to extend the lead to 2-0 at the end of the half.
Causarano came out of the break ready to strike again, scoring her second goal of the game on a rebounded shot from sophomore forward Olivia Fraticelli.
The Knights added another tally in the final period after junior midfielder Ava Cickavage scored her first of the season off a deflection to extend the lead to 4-0.
Graduate student forward Kara Heck joined the scoring parade with a penalty stroke goal in her first game with Rutgers, locking in the final score at 5-0 in favor of the Knights. Heck also assisted on Causarano’s first goal, making an early, positive impact with her new team.
Senior goalkeeper Sophia Howard started the game in net for Rutgers and secured the shutout while blocking away three shots. Junior goalkeeper Erica Babitts came in during the final minutes in the fourth to close out the game, but did not face any shots from Vermont. Despite allowing five goals, Ila Gunner made 11 saves in front of the net for the Catamounts.
The Knights combined for a total of 28 shots on Sunday, with 17 of those reaching the goalkeeper.
Along with its four goal-scorers, senior midfielder Paulina Niklaus etched her name in the scoresheet by assisting on two of the five Rutgers goals.
The Knights proved in their opener that they are here to continue what they started, and it is clear that they are here to compete for the long run.
Rutgers will be back on the pitch later in the week for the team's first road trip of the season, visiting a fellow New Jersey team. The Knights will meet Monmouth in West Long Branch on Friday, and the game is scheduled for a 4 p.m. start time.
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