Rutgers Women's Soccer Downs Connecticut, 2-0
Oct 01 | Women's Soccer
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (Oct. 1, 2010) –The Rutgers women’s soccer team (7-5, 2-2) blanked Connecticut (5-5-2, 1-2-1) by a score of 2-0 Friday night at Yurcak Field. It was the first time since 1987 – in 18 meetings – that the Scarlet Knights notched a win against the Huskies.
“This was the most complete game we have played,” said head coach Glenn Crooks. “UConn is very good. I have seen two of their games and despite their record, they are fantastic. To neutralize a team like that in the way that we did tonight was something to see. You earn these wins through hard work and that is what happened tonight. We outworked them and it led to a lot of good things.”
The Scarlet Knights wasted no time getting on the board, as redshirt senior Gina DeMaio (Parsippany, N.J.) sent a perfectly placed ball from midfield down the right sideline for redshirt freshman Jonelle Filigno (Mississauga, Canada). Filigno corralled the ball near the end line and sent it in the box to Karla Schacher (Tofield, Alberta), who booted it into the back of the net.
The second RU score came in the 66th minute, as redshirt sophomore April Price (Mechanicsville, Va.) connected from a DeMaio set-up. From midfield, the captain booted the ball ahead of the UConn back line and Price raced to collect it, burying the ball into the top left of the net.
The second set-up marked DeMaio’s first multi-assist match since Sept. 22, 2008 when she had three helpers against Villanova. The tallies also moved her into sole possession of second place on the RU all-time career assists list with 26.
Schacher nearly connected five minutes after her score as she sent a rocket towards UConn netminder Jessica Dulski, who pushed the ball over her head. The ball hit the crossbar, connected with Dulski’s head and bounced away from the net.
The Scarlet Knights dominated possession throughout the game, outshooting the Huskies 15-5 and taking four more corner kicks. In the first half, RU allowed just one shot as UConn struggled to keep possession. Rutgers totaled eight shots in the first half, including four from Schacher.
Rutgers stays at home for a Sunday showdown against Providence. Kickoff on Yurcak Field is set for 1 p.m.
Game Notes
*Rutgers moves to 2-14-3 all-time against Connecticut.
*This was the first time since 1987 Rutgers defeated Connecticut. The prior three meetings had ended in a tie (two in the post season with each team advancing once). The last win was the first meeting between the squads.
*DeMaio moves into sole possession of second place in the RU all-time record book with 26 career assists. She needs just one helper to tie Jennifer Gibbons (1989-92) for first all-time.
*RU moves to 35-9-6 at home since 2006. At home this season, the Scarlet Knights are 5-2.
*The Schacher score was the fastest RU had connected since Oct. 17, 2009 against St. John’s. (Kristie Lang scored in the fifth minute).
*Karla Schacher and April Price move into a tie with Jonelle Filigno for the team lead with three goals apiece.
*RU moves to 5-0 when leading at half.
*This was DeMaio’s first multi-assist game since Sept. 22, 2008 against Villanova.
