ANN ARBOR, Mich. – No. 17 Rutgers field hockey took its first loss of the season, falling 3-1 at No. 10 Michigan.
Daphne Groothuis scored the lone goal for the Scarlet Knights, who fall to (5-1, 0-1 Big Ten). The Wolverines (4-3, 1-0 Big Ten) outshot RU 16-5 in the contest.Â
HOW IT HAPPENED
Michigan scored first with just under 10 minutes left in the first half. On a fast break Emma Way sent a pass into the circle on the right side and Kathryn Peterson shot it in for the Wolverines tally. Rutgers made a late push in the opening half, but were unable to convert a penalty corner in the final seconds and the game went to halftime with the Wolverines ahead 1-0.
Michigan used a penalty corner to gain a 2-0 lead, tipping the ball in. But Rutgers answered back with a spectacular individual play by midfielder
Daphne Groothuis. The sophomore carried around multiple defenders before sending a hard strike into the back of the net to cut the lead to 2-1.
Another penalty corner for the Wolverines gave them a 3-1 lead, as the team's leading scorer Emma Way sent a shot into the lower right corner for her eighth goal of the season.
The Scarlet Knights pushed hard towards the end of the game. A pair of late penalty corners saw RU multiple shots saved, and the visitors could get no closer.
QUOTABLE - HEAD COACHÂ MEREDITH CIVICO
"We weren't able to execute tonight against a talented and tough Michigan team. We will look to rebound against Longwood on Sunday, but we are going to have to improve a number of aspects in our play. I have every confidence in this team and I have no doubt they will learn from tonight and use this game to improve as the season progresses."
POSTGAME NOTES
- Groothuis' goal was her fourth of the season, tying Austyn Cuneo for the team lead. She leads the team with 14 points on the season.
- Kerrie Burns had a defensive save for the second straight game
- Nikki Profita had her first career defensive save.
- Through six games, the Scarlet Knights are outscoring opponents 17-5.
- Rutgers is now 2-1 this season against ranked teams, having previously defeated No. 6 Princeton and No. 18 St. Joe's.
- Michigan now leads the all-time series 8-0.
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