No. 17/20 Rutgers Knots Villanova, 1-1

Sunday, September 27

Piscataway, N.J.

6:00 PM

Rutgers

Villanova

Sep 27 | Women's Soccer

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The No. 17/20 Rutgers women’s soccer team (8-1-2, 2-0-2 BIG EAST) fought to a 1-1 tie Sunday night against the Villanova Wildcats (8-1-2, 1-1-1 BIG EAST). Karla Schacher (Tofield, Alberta) knotted the game for the Scarlet Knights early in the second half, but RU was unable to find the net in two overtimes.

Schacher found the equalizer in the 53^rd minute, as she received a well-placed ball from Ashley Jones (Feasterville, Pa.). Schacher corralled the pass, going one-on-one with VU defender Amy Greco. Beating Greco on the inside, Schacher floated the ball above Villanova goalkeeper Molly Williams’ outstretched arms to the top right of the net for the score. The goal was Schacher’s third of the season.  

The Wildcats scored in the 20^th minute, as a scramble in front of the net drew Erin Guthrie (Sparta, N.J.) out of goal. Villanova’s Heidi Sabatura crossed the ball to Rachel Schuyler who placed it just under the crossbar. The first half score was the first Rutgers has allowed all season, shutting out their opponents for 474:22 first stanza minutes. The last first half tally Rutgers allowed came against Penn State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament last season.

RU controlled the field for most of overtime, but did not get a shot on goal. Rutgers outshot Villanova 4-3 in the extra periods.

The Scarlet Knights had many quality opportunities in regulation, but failed to connect. The Scarlet Knights took 16 shots to Villanova’s eight tallies. Guthrie saved a season-high seven shots, allowing the Schuyler goal – just her fourth allowed of the season.  

Tricia DiPaolo (Sparta, N.J.) sent a hard shot towards the net in the 36^th minute, but Williams dove to deflect it to the left. Stefanee Pace (Kearny, N.J.) was right there to try again, but Williams got a hand on it and a defender set it out of bounds.

April Price (Mechanicsville, Va.) had an opportunity in the 34^th minute, sending a rocket at Williams, but the goalkeeper deflected it to the left. Jones was there to head it in, but was called offsides. That call was the only offsides of the game.

In the 23^rd minute, Jones had a breakaway up the right side, booting a ball just above Williams. The VU netminder just got a hand on it, pushing it in front of the net. Price was there for the rebound, but sent the ball over the net.

Schacher had two hard shots on goal, but Williams stopped both, denying the Scarlet Knights the equalizer early in the match.

Game Notes

*Erin Guthrie set a new season-high with seven saves. Her career high is ten, which she has accomplished twice. The last time was last season in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament at Stanford.

*The first half goal was the first score allowed by the Scarlet Knights in the first 45 minutes all season, and just the fourth allowed by Guthrie in 2009.    

*Karla Schacher leads the team with 37 shots, taking four on the night.