PISCATAWAY, N.J. – No. 19 Rutgers field hockey (6-5, 1-2 Big Ten) earned its first Big Ten win of the season with a 3-2 victory over Indiana (4-8, 1-4 Big Ten) on Friday afternoon. Kerrie Burns scored twice, the first multi-goal game of her career, and Kassidy Shetler added a goal of her own in the victory.
The Scarlet Knights scored first in the opening quarter. Clayre Smith put a shot on net that was saved, then Kassidy Shetler put home the rebound for a 1-0 lead.
IU answered back with two goals. On the last play of the first quarter, the Hoosiers capitalized on a corner to score to even the game at 1-1 after 15 minutes of action.
Then in the second quarter, the Hoosiers scored to take a 2-1 lead. The visitors held that advantage at halftime despite RU controlling on shots (9-4) and corners (4-2).
In the third quarter, the Scarlet Knights equalized. After a quarter, Milena Redlingshoefer sent the ball in, and Kerrie Burns redirected it to tie the game at 2-2.
Late in the game, Burns came through again to provide RU with the win. In the final minute of the game, it was a redirection again for the junior back, scoring with just 52 seconds remaining to give the Scarlet Knights a 3-2 lead, and shortly after, the victory by that score.
- Burns set career-bests in goals (two) and points (four).
- Shetler's goal was her first of the season.
- Melina Redlingshoefer and Austyn Cuneo recorded assists in the game.
- The Scarlet Knights outshot Indiana 20-5 and held an 11-3 advantage in penalty corners. The team set a season-high in both shots and corners.
- Rutgers now holds a 7-2-1 advantage in the all-time series versus Indiana. The Scarlet Knights have won the last three.
"This was a must-win game for us. We knew it was going to be a fast paced, high-tempo style out of Indiana. We did a nice job sticking to our game plan, trusting that plan and finding a way to play our hockey and win the game. Now, we have to recover, rest and prepare for Sunday against Northwestern
Meredith Civico on the win
"Kerrie really trained so well all week. She's somebody who wants to have an impact on the game and wants to get the ball, and when she does she's able to create. We put her up front during a couple of spells during this game and she was able to create some penalty corner opportunities, and then execute on those opportunities. She was fantastic for us today, along with Melina Redlinshoefer in the midfield and Kassidy Shetler on the forward line."
Head Coach Meredith Civico on Kerrie Burns following her two-goal performance
Rutgers has another home game on Sunday, hosting No. 8 Northwestern at 2 p.m. on Sunday. That game will be nationally televised live on Big Ten Network.
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersAthletics) and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding Rutgers field hockey, follow the program on Twitter (@RUFieldHockey) and Facebook. Fans can receive timely information, including special offers and giveaways throughout the year on our social media outlets along with www.ScarletKnights.com. For additional updates, please download the Gameday App.
