Rutgers field hockey Big Ten Tournament run ends in defeat to No. 1 Northwestern
Following a late-season surge, the Rutgers field hockey team advanced to the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament after defeating Ohio State 2-1. The Scarlet Knights (8-9, 4-4) then took on Northwestern and fell 2-0 on Friday afternoon.
The Wildcats (19-0, 8-0) immediately capitalized to start the game. Just 56 seconds into the contest, Ashley Sessa put one in the back of the net to put No. 1 Northwestern up 1-0. The waters were still after Sessa’s splash play, as the first quarter remained uneventful.
The second quarter wasn’t filled with much but fouls. Redshirt senior goalkeeper Sophia Howard had a pair of saves, but the game went to the half with just six shots combined.
A combined seven shots filled the third quarter, but no goals were scored.
The fourth quarter appeared to be just as empty as the previous two, but the Wildcats decided to add insult to injury. In the 58th minute, Maddie Zimmer put the nail in the coffin and slapped another goal to put Northwestern ahead by 2 goals.
Facing a high-powered Wildcats offense, Howard ended the day with five saves. Redshirt junior back Puck Winter had two defensive saves, putting her at a season total of seven, the second-most in the country. Winter is just one defensive save short of tying the most all-time in program history.
Rutgers’ lackluster attack only attempted six shots, two of which were on goal but saved by Wildcats goalkeeper Annabel Skubisz.
Ending the season with an 8-9 record, the Knights are likely eliminated from the NCAA Tournament.
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