Rutgers women's soccer defeats Ohio State
After being ranked No. 19 in the country last week, the Rutgers women’s soccer team won its second game as a top 25 team this season on Sunday afternoon at Yurcak Field. After defeating Michigan State 3-1 last Thursday, the Scarlet Knights (4-1-0, 4-1-0) hosted Ohio State, defeating the Buckeyes (2-1-1, 2-1-1) 2-1 to win their third straight game.
After coming off back-to-back 3-1 wins, Ohio looked to end Rutgers’ recent streak of success. From start to finish, Sunday’s contest between both Big Ten rivals saw lots of offensive chances early, though four total saves were made in the first half between junior goalkeeper Meagan McClelland and Buckeyes goalie Bailey Kolinski.
The first half also saw lots of shots as well, with both teams registering 11 in total, as the Knights had six through the first 45 minutes of play. Rutgers had only one of those shots go on goal, a chance that would be turned aside, but the Knights were still able to eventually grab a one-goal lead before halftime came about.
With under three minutes left in the first half, Rutgers had a corner opportunity in order to create a scoring chance in front of the goal. Off a loose ball that came off a header, freshman forward Allison Lowery was able to score her first career goal as a Knight, as she tapped home the rebound to give Rutgers its first lead of the game.
The half came to a close with the Knights up by a strike, as they totaled a majority of the offensive chances, with McClelland also registering three saves after one half of play.
The second half began with the same intensity for both squads, and Ohio answered with its first goal 3:18 into the new period. Kine Florte tied the ballgame up, as she fired a shot past McClelland for the equalizing score.
Rutgers found an answer for the Buckeyes counter not too shortly after Flotre tied the game.
Just after Ohio tied the game to begin the second half, two underclassmen for Rutgers teamed up to regain the one goal lead the Knights had held before. At 54:34, freshman midfielder/forward Sam Kroeger set up a chance for freshman midfielder Sara Brocious inside Buckeye territory, as Brocious rifled a kick to the right corner for the go-ahead score.
Brocious scored for the second time this season, with both coming as game-winners for Rutgers.
As Brocious regained the lead for the Knights, McClelland would resume her solid first half with an all-around performance in the cage during the second period. After conceding Ohio's only score, the junior keeper would continuously break up the Buckeyes' chances in front with multiple punch-outs, as she also made a diving save in the process against Peyton McNamara at 77:18.
Rutgers would hold on afterward with a 2-1 victory, remaining undefeated at home this season.
The Knights will look to continue their success next Saturday, as No. 19 Rutgers travels to College Park to take on the Maryland Terrapins.
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