Rutgers University
New Hampshire
Field Hockey defeats New Hampshire, 2-1
Oct 05 | Field Hockey
Oct. 5, 2014
Box Score 
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Two goals from the stick of Katie Champion (Egg Harbor, N.J.) were the difference maker as the Rutgers field hockey squad earned a 2-1 home victory on Sunday afternoon.
The Scarlet Knights entered the game eager to snap a five-game losing skid, and did so by capitalizing early in the game. An early penalty corner led to Rutgers' first tally, as Champion collected a rebound and slammed it home to give RU the 1-0 lead.
Shortly after, Champion got her second goal of the day. Freshman Jade Dixon (Berlin, N.J.) lofted the ball into the offensive zone for Champion. The junior then stickhandled around the defense and the goaltender, putting it home for a 2-0 lead that Rutgers would never relinquish.
"Setting the tone early was a focus point for us going into the game," head coach Meredith Long said. "We wanted to establish momentum and tempo early on. The team hit that point on the head."
In the second half, Rutgers was forced to fiercely defend and keep the Wildcats out of the zone. With a series of cards, the Scarlet Knights were shorthanded for nearly 20 minutes in the second stanza, as the Wildcats picked up their attack. UNH got its lone goal of the game in the second half as Gianna Bensaia put a shot in at the 58th minute. UNH held a 4-1 advantage on corners in the half, and a 5-2 edge in shots, but RU's defense held strong and kept the 2-1 lead alive for the victory.
Goalkeeper Shevaun Hayes (Melbourne, Australia) made five saves on the day to rise to 5-6 on the season. UNH outshot Rutgers 11-10 and held the advantage in corners 6-3.
"After the game the team was happy with the win," coach Long said. "Immediately after the game though, we were hungry for the next one and eager to get ready for Ohio State next Friday."
With the victory, Rutgers improves to 5-6, while New Hampshire falls to 3-9. The Scarlet Knights will get another chance at their first Big Ten Conference victory on Friday, when they host Ohio State, who is also winless in conference play.
Game Notes
- Champion now leads the team with seven goals and 18 points. It was her third multi-goal game this season.
- Hayes recorded her fifth win of the season, setting a new career high.
- Dixon's assist was the second of her career.
- The 2-1 margin was the fourth straight one-goal game for RU, and seventh one-goal margin in the last eight games.
