SYRACUSE, N.Y. – No. 24 Rutgers field hockey was unable to claim its second win of the weekend on Sunday, falling 4-0 at No. 3 Syracuse. The Scarlet Knights fell to 5-3 on the year with the loss to the Orange (8-1).

"I think that we fought the whole game, but we didn't really take advantage of the opportunities we were able to create," head coach Meredith Civico said. "We were a young team today, we had some freshmen playing really significant minutes and in key roles. We'll take a lot from this game moving into Big Ten play. We realize what we need to focus on as a team and we have to be ruthless when we get our opportunities and execute under pressure."

The Orange used three first half goals, including two tallies in the final minute of the half, to take control of the game early. Overall, Syracuse led just 11-9 in shots, while Rutgers had a 6-5 advantage in penalty corners. RU was unable to score as the home team recorded its eighth shutout in nine games this season.

Freshman Gianna Glatz made three saves in goal for RU. Fellow freshman back Kerrie Burns recorded her first career defensive save as she deflected a ball off the goal line in the second half.

Syracuse got its first goal of the game just three minutes in, as Roos Weers converted on a penalty corner. That 1-0 lead would stand for the next 30 minutes.

In the final 150 seconds of the first half, the Orange scored twice to increase its lead to 3-0 heading into the break. First it was a goal from Jennifer Bleakney, who carried through the defense and scored. With 37 second left in the stanza, a tip in front of the net made the margin 3-0 at the intermission.

In the second half, Rutgers sought to generate offense and push for chances at the goal. The Scarlet Knights doubled their first half shot total, and had five penalty corner opportunities. RU had a number of good attempts on goal off those corners, but were unable to find the back of the net. As Rutgers pulled its goalkeeper late to push forward for a score, the Orange added a goal into an empty net for the final 4-0 margin

The Scarlet Knights return home next weekend for the beginning of Big Ten Conference play. RU will host Indiana at 3 p.m. on Friday, followed by a home contest at noon Sunday against No. 19 Iowa. It is also Alumni Weekend, with all Rutgers field hockey invited back for a weekend full of activities.  

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