Rutgers Fights Back for 3-2 Season-Opening Win
Aug 27 | Field Hockey
PISCATAWAY, NJ – The Rutgers field hockey team (1-0) fought back from a 2-1 deficit to defeat West Chester (0-1) 3-2 in the season opener Aug. 27 at the Rutgers Stadium Complex.
Trailing 2-1 at halftime, the Scarlet Knights evened the score 16 minutes into the second half, as freshman Karen Brewster (Chico, CA) slid a pass to a waiting Carrie Grainger (Island Heights, NJ) in front of the goal. Grainger finished it off, scoring her second goal of the day to make the score 2-2 with 18:13 on the clock.
RU took its first lead of the day at an opportune time, as sophomore Catherine Badolato (Berlin, NJ) converted a Katie Morad (Marlton, NJ) pass with 11:10 remaining in the game, pushing Rutgers ahead, 3-2. RU goalie Rosalyn Wentko (Dallas, PA) made the one-goal lead stand up, snuffing out a breakaway in the game’s final 90 seconds to preserve the victory.
“I love that we were able to come from behind and win today,” said Rutgers head coach Liz Tchou. “The fact that we were down but could attack as much as we did is a positive for us. It took a while for us to get going today, but the team began to mesh well and create opportunities to score. Now we need to focus on finishing those opportunities.
“Rosalyn played well today and was very composed. Our forwards had a lot chances, and I thought they played well together, even though we were making a lot of substitutions.”
West Chester’s Lauren Enck scored on a broken corner play in the 13th minute of the first half, giving the Golden Rams the early advantage. Grainger, playing in her first college game, was able pull Rutgers even 12 minutes later, punching in classmate Amy Lewis’ (Hainesport, NJ) rebound. However, West Chester would again pull ahead, as Mary Ellen Wells found herself alone with the ball just inside the circle, giving the Rams a 2-1 edge 1:31 before the intermission.
Rutgers will host Drexel Sunday, Aug. 28, at 12:00 p.m. to finish the opening weekend of play.
Rutgers 3, West Chester 2
Field Hockey Non-Conference Match
Saturday, Aug. 27; RU Stadium Complex; Piscataway, NJ
West Chester 2 0 2
Rutgers 1 2 3
Shots: WCU 8, RU 13. Saves: WCU 6 (Carrie Hanshue 6), RU 5 (Rosalyn Wentko 5). Penalty Corners: WCU 3, RU 4. Cards: WCU 0, RU 1 (Catherine Badoloto, Green, 54:13).
Time Team Goal Assist
12:32 WCU Lauren Enck (1)
24:59 RU Carrie Grainger (1) Amy Lewis (1)
33:41 WCU Mary Ellen Wells (1)
51:47 RU Grainger (1) Karen Brewster (1)
58:50 RU Catherine Badoloto (1) Katie Morad (1)
