Rutgers
Villanova
Scarlet Knights Play to Tie with Undefeated Villanova
Sep 24 | Women's Soccer
PISCATAWAY, N.J. -The Rutgers women's soccer team (7-1-1, 2-0-1) played to a 1-1 tie with BIG EAST rival and undefeated Villanova (10-0-1, 2-0-1).
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photo by Will Schneekloth |
The Scarlet Knights and Wildcats exchanged offensive opportunities early as Rutgers got its first chance to score 10 minutes into the game. Jenifer Anzivino (Middletown, N.J.) and Villanova goalie Jillian Loyden collided in the goal box as Anzivino looked to get a foot on a pass from Gina DeMaio (Parsippany, N.J.) but Loyden snatched the ball up just before Anzivino could get to it.
With 27 minutes remaining in the half, Villanova's Kaley Guthrie, sister of Rutgers' goalie Erin Guthrie (Sparta, N.J.), made a pass to Nikki Mabery, giving the Wildcats a good look at the goal, but Erin Guthrie made the save for the Scarlet Knights.
Lindsey Finnegan gave Villanova a 1-0 lead in the 22nd minute of the game after Stacia Hartung made a pass from the right side of the field into the goal box. Finnegan nailed it in the top right corner of the goal to give the Wildcats the early lead.
Villanova had another chance to score when Erin Hardiman crossed the ball right in front of the goal for Erin Byrnes and Mabery. After a scramble, Guthrie came up with it, spoiling the opportunity for the Wildcats. Villanova's Kaley Guthrie nearly gave the Wildcats' another opportunity to score with 13:01 left in the half. After Guthrie crossed it, Jaime Komar (Matawan, N.J.), Finnegan and Mabery got tangled up in the goal box, but Komar cleared the ball from traffic, saving Rutgers from the offensive threat.
Kim Brandao (Rahway, N.J.) came up with two big plays for the Scarlet Knights in the last 10 minutes of the half, first clearing a cross from Villanova's Erin Byrnes, before stripping Nicole Coia of the ball right in front of the Rutgers' goal.
Following the break, Rutgers came out shooting, nearly scoring just two minutes into the half. Kristen Edmonds (Metuchen, N.J.) made a pass to Anzivino that she fired just wide. Edmonds made another cross minutes later, but Villanova's backline came up with a stop, clearing the ball before Rutgers could capitalize on the opportunity.
At the 31:54 mark, DeMaio sent a pass ahead of Edmonds, but before she could get to it, Loyden snatched it out of the air.
In the 73rd minute, the Scarlet Knights were finally able to finish one of their 11 shots in the game. Following a Villanova foul, DeMaio lined up a free kick, sending it into the goal box where Hall was able to come up with the loose ball and nail it past Loyden to tie the game.
Loyden's shut out streak ended in its 737th minute and marked the 15th-longest shutout streak in NCAA Division I history.
Rutgers and Villanova traded scoring opportunities, with the Wildcats nearly taking the lead when Hartung hit the crossbar from 40 yards out. Despite a number of shots for both teams, the game continued into the first overtime period where Rutgers had two shots in the sixth and seventh minutes. With 3:51 remaining, Rutgers faced an obstacle, losing center back Brandao after she was given a red card.
Playing a player down, the Scarlet Knights continued to attack the Villanova defense, almost scoring at the 3:28 mark on a corner, but Loyden blocked the kick out of the goal box just before Karla Schacher (Tofield, Alberta) could get a head on it.
In the second overtime, both teams managed one shot, but neither could put the ball in the back of the net.
"I expected to win, that was my expectation tonight and that's what it is every time we go out on the field, as long as we compete and play with heart and determination," said head coach Glenn Crooks. "I can't be disappointed with the results because we battled, we played a person down and we still came up with opportunities. I think that's a pretty big statement about this team."
Rutgers will host the final three games of its four-game home stand, welcoming Marquette on Friday, Sept. 29 at 7:00 p.m. and South Florida, Sunday, Oct. 1, at 1:00 p.m. The final match of the home stand will be Wednesday, Oct. 4, against Princeton at 8:00 p.m.
Rutgers 1, Villanova 1Women's Soccer Sunday, September 24, 2006; Yurcak Field; Piscataway, N.J.
1st 2nd OT 2OT Final Shots: VU 10, RU 11. Saves: VU 4 (Jillian Loyden, 4), RU 4 (Erin Guthrie 4). Fouls: VU 16, RU 10. Corner Kicks: VU 6, RU 4. Offsides: VU 0, RU 0. Cards: YC: VU-Kayce Blandford (52:30), VU-Kelly Eagan (63:16); VU-Jenna Gordon (84:46) RC: RU-Kim Brandao (96:09) Time Team Goal Assist 21:49 VU Lindsey Finnegan Stacia Hartung
Villanova 1 0 0 0 1
Rutgers 0 1 0 0 1
72:59 RU Alicia Hall Gina DeMaio
