Rutgers field hockey ends regular season with Senior Day win over No. 17 Penn State
On Friday, the Rutgers field hockey team extended its winning streak to three straight games after picking up a massive 1-0 win over Penn State, ranked No. 17. The Scarlet Knights (7-7, 4-4) took down the Nittany Lions (8-8, 2-5) for their third consecutive shutout and second straight ranked victory.
Rutgers’ offense started hot despite not scoring in the first quarter. The Knights had three shots in the first 15 minutes: one off the post by senior midfielder Paulina Niklaus, one missing wide by sophomore forward Maddie Kidd and an attempt from junior midfielder Ava Cickavage getting saved by No. 17 Penn State goalkeeper Lauren Delgado.
Delgado kept the saves up entering the second quarter, stopping 2 potential goals off the stick of sophomore forward Olivia Fraticelli.
Delgado couldn’t keep it up forever, though, as redshirt junior back Puck Winter slapped one through the posts to make it 1-0 right before the half for her 1st goal of the season.
Rutgers had another five shots in the third period, continuing to apply the pressure on the road team.
Senior midfielder Guillermina Causarano and Sophia Gladieux – both team’s top offensive weapons – began to get involved. Still, the score remained the same as the game headed into the final 15 minutes. Gladieux’s one shot in the third was the first of the game for the Nittany Lions.
Nine shots between both teams led to multiple blocks and saves in an action-packed fourth quarter. Penn State was outshot 18-3 overall, with the Knights putting 10 of their 18 shots on goal, forcing Delgado into nine saves.
Rutgers will close out its season on the road against UMass Lowell on Sunday. The game will begin at noon in Lowell, Massachusetts.
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