Rutgers women's soccer set to take on Michigan State
After ending its first road trip of the season with a 1-0 win against Purdue this past Sunday, the Rutgers women’s soccer team will return home and host Michigan State on Thursday at Yurcak Field.
The Scarlet Knights (2-1-0, 2-1-0) will play their first game at their home field, as their home opener versus Penn State was moved to the Iron Peaks Sports and Events Complex in Hillsborough, New Jersey, due to inclement weather.
Rutgers, after a tough overtime loss against Indiana on Feb. 25, came back with a win against the Boilermakers (1-2-0, 1-2-0) this past weekend thanks to a lockdown performance from the backline, along with a three save shutout from junior goalkeeper Meagan McClelland. Senior back/midfielder Gabby Provenzano was credited with the only goal, which came at 42:00.
The Spartans' (1-1-1, 1-1-1) most recent contest resulted in a 1-0 loss to Minnesota on March 1. Before that game, Michigan State began the season on Feb. 20 with a 1-1 draw in overtime against Maryland, while rebounding five days later on Feb. 25 to pick up its first win of the season, 2-0, at the expense of Nebraska.
The Knights and the Spartans are two physical teams, who are also able to apply their offensive edges within their respective mixes. Through 3 games, Michigan State totaled two yellow cards, while committing 33 fouls altogether to begin the season. The Spartans have also had 21 total shots within three games, while seven of them have been registered on goal.
Rutgers has only had one yellow card go against freshman midfielder/forward Sam Kroeger at Indiana, while the Knights have committed a total of 22 fouls in the early season. Rutgers has also been able to total 22 shots altogether this year, with 14 of them going on goal. The Knights have outscored opponents 4-3, while averaging 7.3 shots per game.
Both goalkeepers have also been able to make their own mark in the early 2021 campaign. Lauren Kozal has started in all three games for Michigan State this season while totaling 16 saves through three starts, while also recording a shutout in the Spartans’ 2-0 win versus Nebraska.
McClelland has also started every game this season, as she has been able to record one shutout this season against Purdue, while also totaling nine saves on the year thus far.
The two teams will face off on Thursday at 1 p.m. where Rutgers will look to grab its first winning streak of the season over a team they last beat on Oct. 27, 2019, 3-2.
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