Rutgers Field Hockey Downs JMU 5-1, in Season Opener
Aug 26 | Field Hockey
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (August 26, 2011) -Rutgers senior midfielder Kat Rodziewicz (Ocean, N.J.) notched a pair of goals, to open the season with a 5-1 win against James Madison in Friday evening's nonconference field hockey match at Bauer Track and Field Complex. Nicole Gentile (Jamison, Pa.) and Gia Nappi (Fairfield, N.J.) each recorded a goal and an assist on the night.
The Scarlet Knights (1-0) retaliated from last season's 6-0 road loss to the Dukes (0-1) and gave itself control of the all-time series, taking a 2-1-1 advantage against JMU.
"Today was a huge win for us," head coach Liz Tchou said. "This year our girls had great preparation during preseason. We know it's just one game but we put together some nice passing plays and we were able to finish."
Gentile blasted a rebound past Dukes' goalkeeper, Stephanie Tarafas at the 7:50 mark of the opening stanza to give RU its first lead of the 2011 season.
JMU answered as Taylor West broke away from the defense and slotted the ball past the keeper for the first goal of her collegiate career.
With just one minute remaining in the half Nappi located Rodziewicz in the circle and pushed a ball past defenders. Rodziewicz lifted the ball and found the back of the cage for her first goal of the night and the eventual game-winner.
Rutgers continued its attack in the second half registering seven shots to JMU's two. Danielle Freshnock (Middletown, N.J.) capitalized on a scramble in front of the net to record her first collegiate goal.
Rodziewicz added further insurance for the Scarlet Knights when she collected a deflected ball and fired a shot for her second goal of the contest.
Gentile's one-touch pass to Nappi found its way into the far post, for the sixth goal of Nappi's career.
RU goalkeeper, Sarah Stuby (Roxbury, N.J.) tallied three saves on the night and grabbed the sixth win of her career.
Rutgers' next contest, originally scheduled for Sunday, August 28 at Bauer Track and Field Complex has been moved to Monday, August 29 at 4 p.m., due to the expected weather of Hurricane Irene. RU will take on its second-straight Colonial Athletic Association opponent in Delaware.
The Scarlet Knights field hockey team will air its first contest of the 2011 season on RVision, when Rutgers battles William & Mary on Friday, September 2. A taping of the game will be available on www.ScarletKnights.com on Friday evening following the game. Danny Breslauer and Mike Becker will be on the call and will provide fans with a 10-minute pre-game show, intermission interview with a Rutgers coach and a postgame show.
