PISCATAWAY, N.J. - A minute and 27 seconds was all junior
Nneka Moneme needed in the first overtime period to lift No. 22/20 Rutgers women's soccer to a 1-0 victory over Purdue on Thursday night at Yurcak Field.
The Scarlet Knights improved to a record of 11-2-2 overall and 5-2-1 in Big Ten action, while Purdue fell to 6-7-3 overall and 2-5-2 in league play.
QUICK STATS
Moneme scored her seventh goal and third game winner of the season. Senior
Chantelle Swaby contributed her second assist of the year. Sophomore goalkeeper
Meagan McClelland posted her ninth shutout of the year, recording a save in the win.
Purdue's goalkeeper Marisa Bova recorded two stops in the second half of the loss.
THE MATCH
Despite Rutgers leading Purdue in shots, 7-2, the match would remain scoreless through the first half of play. Moving into the second, the Scarlets Knights continued to find good looks, but were unable to find the back of the net. The best chance came with nearly five minutes left in regulation when an
Amirah Ali attempt inched just wide of the post.
Rutgers' knocks at the door were finally answered just minutes into overtime. A long pass from midfield by Swaby would set up Moneme at the top left corner of the box. Moneme then took on the keeper, sending her shot to the far post for the golden goal.
UP NEXT
Rutgers remains home to host Indiana for Senior Day on Sunday. The Scarlet Knights will honor its nine seniors –
Taylor Aylmer,
Carina Hendley,
Megan Katona,
Brittany LaPlant,
Jenna Sayers,
Brianna Starr,
Chantelle Swaby,
Amanda Visco,
Tiernny Wiltshire - in a pregame ceremony.
In addition to Senior Day on Sunday, Rutgers will also welcome back and honor the 1984 women's soccer team, the first squad in program history. Members of 1984 team pioneered the addition of women's soccer as a varsity sport at RU, going on to establish the strong foundation the program has built upon over the years. The Scarlet Knights celebrate 35 years of Rutgers women's soccer.
KNIGHT NOTES
- Rutgers moved to 4-1-2 in overtime contests this season, extending the match beyond 90 minutes in back-to-back contests. RU is 14-1-17 in its last 31 OT matches, a stretch that included a 28 game unbeaten streak in extra time.
- Moneme scored the fourth game winner of her career.
- Swaby notched the third assist of her career.
- McClelland posted the 17th clean sheet of her career, surpassing her season total from last year with nine in 2019. She posted eight as a rookie.
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