PISCATAWAY, N.J. – A goal from senior defender
Tiernny Wiltshire with one minute and 39 seconds left in regulation forced extra time for Rutgers women's soccer in the Big Ten Tournament Semifinals on a cold Friday November afternoon at Yurcak Field. However, Michigan would advance with a 2-1 decision on a goal in the 96th minute of the windy and injury-plagued match,
QUICK STATS
Rutgers moved to a record of 15-3-2 overall, while Michigan pushed its record to 15-4-1.
Wiltshire scored her second goal of the season and fourth of her career for RU. Sophomore goalkeeper
Meagan McClelland notched six saves in net, three shy of her career high total.
THE MATCH
Rutgers and Michigan played through an even first half, trading shots throughout the opening minutes. McClelland closed the frame with three saves, as UM's keeper notched two of her own to hold the game scoreless entering halftime.
Returning from the break, the Scarlet Knights returned to the field with a few starters sidelined due to injury. The game remained in a stalemate with neither team finding strong scoring opportunities.
In the 69th minute, Michigan struck first with a goal off a corner kick, taking a 1-0 advantage in the game.
The Scarlet Knights never let up. Then with less than two minutes on the clock, Wiltshire found the back of the net to tie the game, 1-1, and send it into extra time.
The Wolverines would find the back of the net again in the 96th minute, sneaking a goal into the far post to advance in the tournament.
UP NEXT
Rutgers awaits a bid for the NCAA Tournament. The selection show is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 11 at 4:30 p.m. ET on NCAA.com.
KNIGHT NOTES
- Rutgers appeared in its third Big Ten Semifinal, having qualified for its sixth straight tournament since joining the league.
- The Scarlet Knights locked in the No. 2 seed for the second straight season, having finished as runner up to the Big Ten regular season title in back-to-back years.
- Rutgers, the No. 2 seed, and Michigan, the No. 3 seed, finished conference play with an identical mark of 8-2-1.
- The tournament marked RU's 20th straight conference postseason tournament.
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