Box Score PISCATAWAY, N.J. – A goal from sophomore forward
Brittany LaPlant lifted No. RV/24 Rutgers women's soccer to a 1-0 victory over No. 12/15 Ohio State on Senior Day Sunday at Yurcak Field. Redshirt junior goalkeeper
Casey Murphy backed the defense with four saves to collect her 11
th shutout of the season.
Prior to the start of the contest, Rutgers honored
Colby Ciarrocca, Christy Monroy, Murphy,
Courtney Norton and
Brianna Scarola in a Senior Day Ceremony.
"To get a victory like this on Senior Day, it's perfect," said head coach
Mike O'Neill. "When I look at the five players leaving us, this program is built around their character, their talent, their leadership. They have been involved in a lot of big games like today. It's a tribute to them."
Although Ohio State (12-3-1, 7-2 Big Ten) outshot Rutgers (10-2-4, 4-2-3 Big Ten), the Scarlet Knights battled through an even second half. The win halted a six-game win streak for OSU and handed the team just its second loss in conference play.
In the first half, the Ohio State offense registered five shots, while its defense held Rutgers to no shots in the period. However, the Scarlet Knight defenders limited the Buckeyes' shots to just two on goal, which Murphy denied to keep the score 0-0 at halftime.
Returning from the break, the teams entered a back-and-forth battle on the pitch, as the RU offense continued to pick up momentum.
In the 83
rd minute of the contest, LaPlant capitalized on that rhythm. Although an OSU defender broke up a pass from Ciarrocca, LaPlant remained determined on the attack, firing off a shot through traffic from about 10-yards out for the game winner.
"I was out wide and noticed there was a space in the middle so I made a hard run. I screamed at Colby to play the ball, she ended up seeing and it was a great ball. I was able to get a touch around the defender and finish low into the corner," described LaPlant.
"As a team we really game together and fought to get the win today. For the seniors, we have been working hard for them all season. To finally get that result is an amazing feeling."
Murphy and the defense secured the Scarlet Knights' second straight shutout and fourth in Big Ten play.
Up next, Rutgers travels to Indiana for a matchup on Saturday, Oct. 12
KNIGHT NOTES
- Rutgers picked up its second ranked win of the year, also registering 1-0 win over then-No. 12 Wisconsin. It marked the Scarlet Knights fourth shutout in a ranked matchup, as RU also posted clean sheets against then-No. 15 Georgetown and No. 13 Penn State in 0-0 double-overtime draws.
- RU is 2-0-2 in ranked matchups this season.
- Rutgers moved to a record of 8-1-1 at home the season. Dating back to the start of 2006, RU owns a record of 100-18-13 at Yurcak Field.
- Casey Murphy added her 11th shutout of the season, moving her career total to 41 shutouts. The mark ranks second on the Rutgers career list.
- Brittany LaPlant scored her third goal of the season and fifth of her career.
- Overall, 20 of Rutgers' 28 goals this year have been scored by a freshman or sophomore.
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook (Rutgers Athletics) and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding Rutgers women's soccer, follow the program on Facebook (Rutgers Women's Soccer), Twitter (@RUWSoccer) and Instagram (@RUWSoccer). Fans can receive timely information, including special offers and giveaways throughout the year on our social media outlets along with www.ScarletKnights.com.
