Rutgers women's soccer ties with Nebraska
After recording back-to-back wins against Iowa and Minnesota to end its home stretch of the season, the No. 19 Rutgers women's soccer team left Barbara Hibner Soccer Stadium with no goals and a 0-0 draw against Nebraska as a result of the 110-minute showdown.
The Scarlet Knights (6-1-2, 6-1-2) would total nine shots in half number one, compared to the four the Cornhuskers (1-4-3, 1-4-3) put up. Two shots for each team went on goal, as all chances on the net were turned aside by Nebraska's Makinzie Short and Rutgers junior goalkeeper Meagan McClelland.
The Knights also found themselves with four corner opportunities within 45 minutes of play, as the last one of the half almost led to a goal with less than 10 seconds left in the period. Freshman forward Allison Lowrey’s chance in front of the goal was blocked by the Cornhuskers' defense.
Rutgers would also end up committing eight fouls in period number one, as Nebraska had five go against them throughout the first half.
In the second half, the Knights and the Cornhuskers would continue their defensive strategies, while still approaching to break the scoreless tie with more offensive opportunities.
Reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week, sophomore back Allison Lynch looked for her first goal of the season at approximately 11 minutes into the second period but was eventually swallowed up on the goal line by Short.
After that chance was denied, Rutgers would go on to register for a total of 10 shot attempts through the second half, with all of them either being spoiled or turned aside by Short.
The Knights continued their defensive pressure, limiting Nebraska to another four shots through the second frame, as the full 90 minutes went by with no winner in sight. Overtime was needed, as Rutgers looked to settle this matter through 20 extra minutes of play.
Two periods of overtime were needed as neither team was able to break the ice and win. The contest ended in a 0-0 draw, where Short made nine total saves, while McClelland made four saves through 110 minutes. The Knights led the way with shots, shots on goal and corner kicks with all areas reaching double digits, but it was not enough for Rutgers to pick up its seventh win of the season.
The Knights continue their second to last road trip of the season with a game at Wisconsin. The Badgers (5-3-1, 5-3-1), who will be playing their final home game of the season, are coming off a 2-0 victory against Maryland, a team Rutgers tied with earlier in the season. The Knights will look to bounce back in Madison, Wisconsin on Sunday at 1 p.m..
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