Badoloto Helps Lead Rutgers to 2-1 Win
Aug 31 | Field Hockey
EASTON, PA - Junior Catherine Badoloto (Berlin, NJ) scored the first goal and assisted on the second as the Rutgers field hockey team (2-1) earned a 2-1 victory at Lafayette (0-1) Aug. 30.
Playing its third straight road game, Rutgers struck first when Badoloto redirected her shot after a bobble by the Lafayette goalie, giving the Scarlet Knights a 1-0 edge 12:57 into the game. That lead stood up until halftime, and in the second half the two teams traded possessions until RU earned four straight corners with less than 10 minutes remaining. On the fourth attempt, Badoloto found redshirt sophomore Carrie Grainger (Island Heights, NJ) at the post, and Grainger pushed the ball in for the 2-0 lead.
The Leopards were awarded a penalty stroke and converted with less than four minutes to play, but could not score the equalizer in the game's closing moments.
'I think we tried to make some adjustments in this game (after two previous outings),' said fourth-year Rutgers head coach Liz Tchou. 'This was Lafayette's first game, and they came out with tons of energy and really tried to force us into some turnovers.
'We're really happy to get the win. We know that we have some tough competition coming up this weekend and we have some things to improve upon. Temple and American will have different styles and it will be a challenge for us to match up and adjust. I think we have learned a lot about ourselves (in the first three games). The experience of being on the road has been great, especially for our younger players.'
Even though the discrepancy was not apparent in the final score, RU had 18 shots to Lafayette's eight, including a 9-3 edge in the second half.
'I think (the lack of scoring) had a lot to do with their style,' said Badoloto. 'In the second half they made adjustments and it was more open, but we just had trouble finishing the opportunities.
'We are a very young team with a lot to learn, but with a lot of potential,' she continued. 'The defense that we are playing this year is a little different, but we are getting better every day. Our coaching staff is always there to support and teach us, and they are doing a really great job of telling us how we can improve.'
Junior Rosalyn Wentko (Dallas, PA) made two saves in the first half for RU, while freshman Leslie Kelly (Glassboro, NJ) played the final 35:00 in goal.
Rutgers will compete at the Temple Invitational this weekend, facing the host Owls Saturday, Sept. 2, at 12:00 p.m. and No. 6 American Sunday, Sept. 3, at 2:00 p.m.
Rutgers 2, Lafayette 1
Field Hockey Non-Conference Game
Wednesday, Aug. 30; Easton, PA
Rutgers 1 1 2
Lafayette 0 1 1
Shots: RU 18, LC 8. Saves: RU 2 (Rosalyn Wentko 2, Leslie Kelly 0), LC 10
(Jill Lambert 10). Penalty Corners: RU 7, LC 3. Cards: RU 0, LC 0.
Time Team Goal Assist
12:57 RU Catherine Badoloto (2)
63:05 RU Carrie Grainger (1) Badoloto (1)
66:12 LC Maggie DiFilippo
