Sept. 18, 2015
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IOWA CITY, Iowa - Rutgers field hockey battled to the end against a ranked foe on the road, but was unable to topple No. 16 Iowa in the team's first Big Ten Conference game of the season. Nicole Imbriaco paced RU with two goals, but the Scarlet Knights fell 4-3.
"I am very proud of how our team played today," head coach Meredith Civico said. "We dominated the first half offensively. Ultimately, we fell short when it came to some executing on set pieces. We will take a good look at the adjustments we need to make going into tomorrow's match. I have no doubt the team is anxious to come out and compete again tomorrow."
The home squad got off to a fast start, as Iowa scored just 42 seconds into the game. Mallory Lefkowitz put the Hawkeyes ahead 1-0 early, but it would not last long. Just seven minutes later, Katie Champion scored an unassisted goal, evening the score. Neither team found the back of the cage again in the opening stanza, and despite RU holding a 10-2 advantage in shots, the teams went into the break level at 1-1.
The teams then spent nearly an hour off the field, as a lightning delay halted play.
In the second half, Iowa got their offense started first. Veronique DeClercq scored eight minutes into the frame, putting Iowa in front 2-1.
The Scarlet Knights would not quit, and shortly had an answer. Imbriaco tallied the game-tying goal just eight minutes later, with Champion picking up the assist.
Iowa scored next, as Makenna Grewe scored her seventh goal of the year to give the Hawkeyes a 3-2 advantage at 56:55. The Hawkeyes added another soon after, with DeClercq scoring her second tally of the day to give Iowa a 4-2 lead with 10 minutes to play.
The Scarlet Knights got one back off a penalty corner. Imbriaco finished the play with her second goal of the game, with Elyse Broderick getting the assist.
Rutgers will play again tomorrow, facing Missouri State in a neutral site affair in Iowa City. Game time is 2 p.m.
Game Notes
Imbriaco now has a new career-high with seven goals this season. Her previous career-high of five was set last season.
It was her second two-goal game of the season and of her career.
Champion recorded her second game this year with at least one goal and one assist.
Elyse Broderick's assist was the first point she recorded in her career in her 26th career game.
Rachel Yaney had an assist on Katie Champion's goal.
14 different players now have at least one point this season.
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