Rutgers Field Hockey Drops 2-1 Decision to Columbia
Oct 28 | Field Hockey
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - The Rutgers field hockey saw an early lead fall, dropping a 2-1 contest to visiting Columbia on Sunday afternoon at RU Stadium Turf.
The contest marked the final collegiate contest for six seniors: Corinne Bach, Cat Badolato, Carrie Grainger, Jocelyn Mattina, Rosalyn Wentko and Marielle Zibman.
"It's hard because this is my first class so you always want the first class to feel the success at the end of the four years," head coach Liz Tchou noted. "There is so much emphasis in society places on winning and losing. We know and each player knows of how much the team has improved over the past four years."
She added about the six-member senior group, "I tried to articulate after the game that their legacy and part of themselves are in every player on the team. They have passed along a little bit of their character, their personality to each player. I learned so much from each of those players, as a coach and a person."
Rutgers (8-11) commenced the scoring with a goal in the fifth minute of play. Junior Amy Lewis (Hainesport, N.J.) registered her team-best 20th score of the fall, converting a penalty corner by sending the shot high and past Lions goalkeeper Gena Miller. Sophomore Melissa Bowman (Ronks, Pa.) and Bach (Moorestown, N.J.) assisted on the score. Bach, who became the all-time assist leader on Friday,
Columbia (9-6) tied the game in the 24th minute when Liz Reeve scored on a rebound shot in front of the net. Ariel Leon was credited with an assist on the play.
Tied 1-1 at the half, Columbia midfielder Julia Garrison scored off a corner opportunity from the left side. Reeve pushed the corner as Garrison took the set and the shot.
Rutgers had its best opportunity to tie the game again in the 45th minute when Lewis fired a shot towards the cage. Columbia freshman Hannah Smith was awarded the defensive save as she got her stick on the fast shot.
Rutgers concludes its regular season with eight wins, the most for the program since 2000 (8-11).
We were really focused this season and we had goals going in. We wanted to get to .500 and were so close but on a positive it is the most wins we have had in a while," Bach said after the game. "I think we have pushed this program as much as we could and hopefully the underclassman can take the reins now."
