Rutgers
Loyola
DeMaio's Penalty Kick Lifts Rutgers Past Loyola
Sep 19 | Women's Soccer
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Gina DeMaio's (Parsippany, N.J.) penalty kick in the 41st minute lifted the Rutgers women's soccer team (6-1, 1-0 BIG EAST) to a 1-0 win over Loyola University on Sept. 19.
The last time the Scarlet Knights started the season with a 6-1 record was in 1996 under the direction of former head coach Charlie Duccilli, marking the best-ever start at Rutgers for sixth-year head coach Glenn Crooks.
After a Greyhound foul by Brynn McGrath in the goal box in the 41st minute, DeMaio nailed the penalty kick past Loyola goalie Brittany Henderson to give Rutgers the win.
The Scarlet Knights got off to a quick start, immediately setting the pace for the match and dominating possession. Just two minutes in, DeMaio took one of her match-high eight shots, just missing as Henderson deflected the ball over the crossbar.
DeMaio had another chance to score in the 10th minute, missing a free kick just wide of the goal. Loyola, who generated only four shots in the game, had its first scoring opportunity ended when Co-BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Week Erin Guthrie (Sparta, N.J.) snatched Lea Day's free kick out of the air before the Greyhounds to get to it. The shutout was the third for Guthrie in her rookie campaign.
"We really limited them offensively," said Crooks. "Erin's done a great job in goal. She's been very aggressive and has come off her line at the right times in the game."
Rutgers welcomed back freshman forward Karla Schacher (Tofield, Alberta) who missed the last three games after suffering a concussion on Sept. 5 against Monmouth. Schacher picked up right where she left off in generating offense for the Scarlet Knights, making a pass to Jenifer Anzivino (Middletown, N.J.) right in front of the goal. However, the scoring opportunity was spoiled when Henderson dove on the ball, picking up a big stop for Loyola.
In the second half, the Scarlet Knights continued to dominate offensively, taking seven shots. Overall, Crooks was very pleased with the team's effort, though he knows when it comes to BIG EAST play, Rutgers will have to capitalize on opportunities in front of the goal.
"I think we had several opportunities to add to the lead," he said. "I never sensed frustration from the team, they remained composed. But, we need to start making better decisions. Did we play the ball to the right person? When we got it in the box, did we make the best choice of where to go? Those are the areas we need to improve in."
Rutgers will travel to Washington, D.C. on Friday, Sept. 22, for a BIG EAST match-up with Georgetown, slated for 3:00 p.m. On Sunday, Sept. 24, the Scarlet Knights will return to Yurcak Field when they host another BIG EAST-rival, Villanova, at 6:00 p.m.
"Our goal is to win a BIG EAST Championship," Crooks said. "In order to do that, we have to be competitive in every match. We need to be prepared, our players need to execute and we need to do that through determination, work ethic and attitude."
Rutgers 1, Loyola 0Women's SoccerTuesday, September 19, 2006; Yurcak Field; Piscataway, N.J.
Loyola 0 0 0 Shots: LU 4, RU 16. Saves: LU 4 (Brittany Henderson, 4), RU 3 (Erin Guthrie 2, Team 1). Fouls: LU 15, RU 10. Corner Kicks: LU 4, RU 4. Offsides: LU 0, RU 2. Cards: none Time Team Goal Assist40:33 Rutgers Gina DeMaio penalty kick
Rutgers 1 0 1
