PISCATAWAY, N.J. – No. 19 Rutgers women's soccer (3-1-0, 3-1-0, Big Ten) defeated Michigan State (1-2-1, 1-2-1 Big Ten) by a score of 3-1 on Thursday afternoon at the Rutgers Sports Club Field. Erasing a 1-0 first half deficit, the Scarlet Knights registered goals from senior forwards Amirah Ali.
 

THE MATCH

The teams opened the game trading shots with score remaining 0-0 through a majority for the first half. Michigan State managed to get on the board first, as a free kick near the top of the box set up a goal for the Spartans in the 40th minute.
 
Freshman Becci Fluchel quickly countered with a shot on target for RU. However, MSU's goalkeeper made the stop to carry a 1-0 lead into the break.
 
Rutgers wasted little time on the return from halftime, balancing the score just three minutes into the stanza. Ali netted the goal off of an assist from freshman Sara Brocious, setting the score at 1-1.
 
Then, in the 73rd minute, an RU corner kick led to a shuffle in the box, which resulted in an own goal for MSU. The score gave RU a 2-1 advantage in the match.
 
Soon after, Moneme would cap the victory with an unassisted goal in the 76th minute, setting the final margin at 3-1.
 

KNIGHT NOTES

• Amirah Ali, a MAC Hermann Trophy candidate, leads the team with three goals on the season. She ranks fifth all-time on the Rutgers charts with 28 career goals and eighth all-time with 65 career points. 
• Nneka Moneme added her first goal of the season and 17th of her career. 
• Sara Brocious recorded the second assist of her rookie campaign. 

UP NEXT

Rutgers remains home to host Ohio State on Sunday, March 7. Match time is set for 11 a.m. and is the first game in a doubleheader with Rutgers men's soccer.
 
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