Rutgers University
Princeton
Rutgers Posts 2-0 Win Over Princeton
Oct 05 | Women's Soccer
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - The Rutgers women's soccer team (10-1-1, 4-0-1 BIG EAST) continues its best start in school history with its eighth shutout of the year in a 2-0 win over Princeton (4-5-1).
With the win, Rutgers wins 10 out of its first 12 matches for the second time in school history, the first coming during the 1996 season under the direction of former head coach Charlie Duccilli. The 10-1-1 record is also the best in 12 matches in the program's history.
"A victory against Princeton is always exciting-we know what they're about, we know the history of their program and of this rivalry, so I'm very proud with the way we came out in the second half," said head coach Glenn Crooks. "The first half was so vanilla. They were sitting back, playing low-pressure and looking to counterattack and there's different ways to deal with that and we were too passive. We needed to take it at them and force them to defend us."
In the first half, both teams played tentatively, tallying only four shots combined. Princeton had the early edge in opportunities, outshooting the Scarlet Knights in the opening period, 3-1. Rutgers had two opportunities in the goal box, but on both occasions, the Tigers were able to clear the ball.
To open the second half, the Scarlet Knights got an early corner, but the Tiger defense cleared the ball before Rutgers could get a good look at the goal.
In the 67th minute of the match, Caycie Gusman (Honolulu, Hawaii) scored her first career goal and gave Rutgers a 1-0 lead on an assist from BIG EAST Rookie of the Week Gina DeMaio (Parsippany, N.J.). On a corner kick, DeMaio blasted the ball into the goal box and Gusman headed it in to score the eventual gamewinner for the Scarlet Knights.
"It was exciting--Caycie has her family watching this match on television in Hawaii," Crooks said. "What a great moment for her, and what a big goal for us-a gamewinner in a huge regional match."
With 28:21 remaining in the matches, Jenifer Anzivino (Middletown, N.J.) was tangled in traffic in front of the goal, but before she could get her foot on the ball, Princeton goalie Maren Dale dove on it to end the Rutgers scoring threat.
Senior Kim Brandao (Rahway, N.J.) scored her second goal of the season in the 81st minute of the match to give the Scarlet Knights a 2-0 lead. Amanda Allessio (Langhorne, Pa.) nailed a cross from the left side of the field and Brandao headed it in for Rutgers.
Rutgers outshot the Tigers 8-4. Princeton's Diana Matheson, who leads the team with four goals and three assists this season, didn't get a shot off against the Scarlet Knights' defense, something of which Crooks was very proud.
"We want to own our turf and we made that happen," he said. "The backs played great tonight'they were fantastic. Diana is a world-class player and her impact on the match was minimal."
In goal for Rutgers, Erin Guthrie (Sparta, N.J.) came up with three saves in the match, registering her eighth shutout of the season.
The match was delayed 45 minutes due to lightning and heavy rain in the area.
Rutgers will be on the road the next four matches, beginning with two BIG EAST matches in the Midwest this weekend. On Friday, Oct. 6, the Scarlet Knights will play at DePaul at 3:00 p.m. Rutgers will then travel to South Bend, Ind. to take on top-ranked and defending BIG EAST Champion, Notre Dame, on Sunday, Oct. 8, at 1:00 p.m.
Rutgers 2, Princeton 0Women's Soccer Wednesday, October 4, 2006; Yurcak Field; Piscataway, N.J.
1st 2nd Final Princeton 0 0 0 Shots: PU 4, RU 8. Saves: PU 4 (Maren Dale 3, Team 1), RU 4 (Erin Guthrie 3, Team 1). Fouls: PU 8, RU 10. Corner Kicks: PU 0, RU 5. Offsides: PU 1, RU 1. Cards: None. Time Team Goal Assist 66:19 RU Caycie Gusman Gina DeMaio
Rutgers 0 2 2
80:55 RU Kim Brandao Amanda Allessio
