EVANSTON, Ill. – No. 14 Rutgers field hockey earned a Big Ten road win, defeating No. 15 Northwestern 2-1 on Friday afternoon. The win for Rutgers (10-4, 2-4 Big Ten) was their fourth ranked win of the season, a program record, and 10^th win overall, the most in a single season in 10 years.

The victory was spurred by goals from a pair of Netherlands natives, Linde van Schaik and Daphne Groothuis. RU prevailed through a stout defensive effort, being outshot 8-4 and out-cornered 6-3 by the Wildcats (8-7, 3-3 Big Ten).

Gianna Glatz made three saves in the victory and lowered her goals-against-average this year to 1.33. Linde van Schaik also added an assist.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Rutgers scored first early on, capitalizing on a penalty corner. After the team's first two shots were denied, the ball was caught underneath the goalkeeper, with players from both teams poking at it. Linde van Schaik got to it, flicking it into the net to give the Scarlet Knights a 1-0 lead.

On the second goal, RU took advantage of a Northwestern turnover. Daphne Groothuis stole the ball in the Northwestern end, weaved through the defense and beat the goalkeeper for a 2-0 lead for the visitors.

Northwestern got one back with 12 minutes remaining in the opening half. Eva van Agt controlled the ball at the top of the circle, and unleashed a backhand for the goal.

In the second half, RU's defense held strong. Northwestern had five penalty corner attempts that the Scarlet Knights turned aside. That defense effort backboned the team to the victory, as Rutgers was unable to run out the clock and ensure the 2-1 win.

QUOTABLE
"I'm so proud of the effort our team put forth today. We played front foot hockey for the first half and took our chances. But Northwestern is a very good team and we knew they would come out hard in the second half. It was a battle but we held strong and our defensive corner unit was outstanding when it mattered."

• Head Coach Meredith Civico

POSTGAME NOTES

• Linde van Schaik's goal was her seventh of the season and 24^th of her career. She now has 63 career points.
• Daphne Groothuis scored her team-leading ninth goal of the season. She now has 29 points on the year, which is tied for 8^th most in a single season in RU history.
• Kerrie Burns and Emily Howarth each had a defensive save. 
• The win was Rutgers 10^th of the season, their most wins in a season under current head coach Meredith Civico. It is the first season where Rutgers reached double-digits wins since 2008.
• The win was Rutgers fourth ranked victory of the season, the most ever ranked wins for the Scarlet Knights in a single season. RU has also beaten No. 6 Princeton, No. 18 St. Joe's and No. 19 Delaware.
• This was the first ever win for RU against Northwestern, in six lifetime matchups.

UP NEXT
Rutgers continues its road trip with a Big Ten game Sunday. They are in Indiana, facing the Hoosiers at noon. The game will be live streamed on BTN Plus.

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