Oct. 2, 2015 Box Score
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - No. 25 Rutgers women's soccer matched the steady rain pouring onto the Yurcak Field pitch Friday with a flurry of shots at the Michigan State net.
From the unrelenting attack, particularly in the second half, the Scarlet Knights (9-2, 2-2 Big Ten) registered the game-winner, as sophomore forward Colby Ciarrocca (Montgomery, N.J.) put MSU (6-2-3, 2-1-1 Big Ten) away with a score in the 82nd minute from senior Cassie Inacio (Manalapan, N.J.) in a 1-0 final.
"Given the conditions, I felt we played some good soccer and created chances. We were unlucky not to finish more, but I think Michigan State is a very talented team," said head coach Mike O'Neill. "It was important for us to do what we needed to do on the attack, but be aware of how dangerous they were on the counter. It was a good win."
Numerous chances presented themselves to Rutgers in the 90 minutes played, as the shots on goal tally was 10-1 in favor of the Scarlet Knights. The overall shots total ended, 22-6, in favor of RU, as Rutgers yielded just one shot in the second half.
The game-winner for Rutgers came on a quick counter, which began at the back with senior defender Brianne Reed (Tinton Falls, N.J.). Reed sent a ball over the top to Tiernan at midfield, who headed up the left flank to Inacio.
From there, Inacio sailed a ball ahead to Ciarrocca on a well-timed run at net, and she finished dead center with her right foot from 10 yards out. The goal was Ciarrocca's third of the season and second game-winner, tying her for the team lead.
For Inacio, it was her second assist of the season.
The RU defense allowed just six shots in the rainy conditions, giving the team and sophomore goalkeeper Casey Murphy (Bridgewater, N.J.) their ninth shutout of the season. The Scarlet Knights recorded 11 shutouts all of last season.
Rutgers wraps up the weekend on Sunday against Michigan (8-4, 3-1 Big Ten) at 1 p.m. at Yurcak Field. The match represents the Scarlet Knights' annual "Pink Out Game" for breast cancer awareness. RU will wear pink uniforms for the contest.
Game Notes
- Rutgers recorded its ninth shutout of the season through 11 contests. All nine wins have come in shutout fashion. The Scarlet Knights posted 13 shutouts in each of the previous two seasons.
- RU improves to 2-0 all-time against Michigan State after topping the Spartans by 1-0 scores in consecutive years.
- Ciarrocca's goal gives her the team points lead with nine on the season.
- Inacio's assist was her second this season. She is second on the team with eight points (3g, 2a).
- Senior midfielder Hayley Katkowski (Westford, Mass.) started her 75th consecutive game for Rutgers since her career began in 2012.
- The Scarlet Knights are now 5-0 at home this season and 25-2 in their last 27 matches at Yurcak Field.
- The six shots surrendered to the Spartans were RU's fewest against a Big Ten opponent since joining the league last season.
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