Rutgers field hockey gets back on track with 2-0 win over Michigan State
After a three-game skid, the Rutgers field hockey team picked up its first win of October. The Scarlet Knights (5-7, 2-4) shutout Michigan State 2-0 on Friday, netting their second conference win of the season. The Spartans (7-7, 0-4) traveled to Piscataway for a mid-day melee that saw them get outshot 10-4 by the home team.
Rutgers started the scoring in the 9th minute when freshman forward Sophie Kuiper knocked one in off an assist from junior midfielder Ava Cickavage. Kuiper tallied her 2nd goal of the season as the Knights held the lead for the rest of the first period.
The 1-0 score remained for the rest of the first half courtesy of the efforts of redshirt senior goalkeeper Sophia Howard and Michigan State goalkeeper Lyra Gavino. The two keepers combined for three saves in the first half.
Things were quiet in the third period as well, except for Gavino’s third save of the game. The fourth quarter saw a little more action, with senior midfielder Paulina Niklaus scoring the only other goal on a penalty stroke. Niklaus notched her 4th goal of the season as the rest of the fourth period ran out.
Rutgers out-shot the Spartans by six while having five more shots on goal than Michigan State. The score could have been much more lopsided if it hadn’t been for Gavino’s five-save game for the Spartans.
The Knights’ next game will be one of their toughest all season against Ohio State, No. 3 ranked, in Piscataway. The contest will start at noon on Sunday and broadcast on Big Ten Plus.
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