WASHINGTON, D.C. – A season-high six saves for redshirt junior
Casey Murphy helped guide No. 14 Rutgers women's soccer to a 0-0 draw with No. 15 Georgetown in a double overtime contest on Sunday afternoon at Shaw Field.
"As a defense, we're locked and loaded going into every game," said Murphy. "What has made us successful thus far is remaining plugged in and focused for the full 90-plus minutes. Our coaching staff deserves a lot of credit for preparing us to the best of their ability to be prepared to shutout the opponent and be dangerous in the attack."
The Scarlet Knights (6-0-1) recorded their seventh consecutive shutout this season, marking 650:00 straight scoreless minutes for RU's opponents. On the offensive side, freshman forward
Amirah Ali led Rutgers with two shots, while senior forward
Colby Ciarrocca and junior midfielder
Adora Moneme each added a shot each as well.
A fast paced contest ensued from the start, as both teams were quick on the attack on both ends of the pitch. Although Georgetown (5-2-1) managed to take control of the back-and-forth offensive battle, going on to outshoot RU 14-4 in the contest, Rutgers held strong on the defensive end to break up the Hoyas' attempts.
The defensive battle between the teams continued into the second half. In the 68
th minute, Georgetown threatened with back-to-back shots, but Murphy remained resilient with two big stops to keep the game scoreless.
As nine minutes remained on the clock in regulation, the teams regained the fast paced attacks from the opening. In the 83
rd minute, Ali found an opportunity from sophomore defender
Chantelle Swaby for a header shot from about three yards out. However, GU's Arielle Schechtman would record a save.
In the final minutes of regulation, Murphy registered two more saves on strong GU attempts to send the contest into overtime.
After the Hoyas made three failed shot attempts, Ciarrocca found an opening for the Scarlet Knights in the 99
th minute. Despite a great look, Schechtman recorded the save to push the contest into a second overtime period.
Although Georgetown's Rachel Corboz would send a solid shot towards goal in the 106
th minute, Murphy denied the chance with her sixth save of the contest to seal the Scarlet Knights seventh consecutive clean sheet.
"Every team going forward is going to be as tough and organized as Georgetown was," said Murphy. "This game was great preparation for us moving into Big Ten play. Although we got the draw, we have to put this game in the past and move on to preparing for Maryland next Sunday."
Up next, Rutgers returns home for its Big Ten opener with Maryland on Sunday, Sept. 17. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET at Yurcak Field.
KNIGHT NOTES
- The Scarlet Knights and Hoyas went into overtime for the second time in the last three meetings. Last season, GU topped RU, 2-1, in overtime at Yurcak Field. RU ended a four-game losing streak against GU in the all-time series with the 0-0 draw.
- Casey Murphy finished two shy of her career-high with six saves in the contest. She now has 21 saves on the season.
- Murphy registered her seventh straight shutout in net, bringing her career total to 36.
- Prior to this game, Rutgers had recorded at least two goals in each contest, outscoring opponents 20-0 in its first six games.
- Two 2017 MAC Hermann Trophy candidates competed in the contest, as Rutgers' Casey Murphy and Georgetown's Rachel Corboz went head-to-head on the pitch.
- The Scarlet Knights remain the only Big Ten Conference team to have not allowed a goal this season. RU entered the weekend as one of five teams in the nation to have not let up a goal.
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