Box Score COLUMBUS, OHIO – Senior forward
Amirah Ali recorded the ninth golden goal of her career to lift Rutgers women's soccer (7-2-3, 6-2-3 Big Ten) to a 1-0, double-overtime victory over Michigan State (1-10-1, 1-9-1 Big Ten) in Thursday's opening round of the Big Ten Tournament.
Freshman
Allison Lowrey added an assist on the gamewinner. Junior goalkeeper
Meagan McClelland recorded two saves for her fifth shutout of the season, as the defense held MSU to just five total shots overall. RU advances to the next round of Big Ten Regional Weekend and will matchup up with Ohio State on Sunday, April 11.
"There's nothing like post-season play! We know that every game is going to be a battle, so our mentality is to always work hard and take the tournament one game at a time," said Ali. "It is very important in overtime games that a team sticks together and I believe that we did just that. Even with the conditions, I felt that we played hard until the very end. The final cross by Allie Lowrey was excellent and all I was thinking was to execute and get a head on the ball for my teammates. With a quick turnaround, we are taking away things from this game that we can improve upon and going to apply them for the next game to be successful."
THE MATCH
Rutgers led Michigan State in offensive opportunities throughout the first half, posting an advantage in shots (5-2), shots on goal (3-1), and corner kicks (3-0). However, the score remained knotted 0-0 going into the break.
Although, the Scarlet Knights maintained their advantage in offensive chances, the Spartan goalkeeper saved four of seven shots by RU in the second half. Meanwhile, the RU defense held MSU to a single shot in the half, as McClelland denied the attempt to keep the game scoreless.
Rutgers tacked on another two shots in the first overtime period, while holding Michigan State to zero attempts, as the teams would move to the second overtime frame.
In the 104th minute, Ali netted a header off an assist from Lowrey. Lowrey sent in a cross to Ali, who headed in the goal to the far post for the victory.
UP NEXT
Rutgers matches up with Ohio State in the next round of Big Ten Regional Weekend on Sunday, April 11. The match will stream live on Big Ten Network+ with a start time to be determined.
KNIGHT NOTES
- Amirah Ali extended her career record to nine overtime goals, the most in program history. She also ranks fourth on the career charts with 13 gamewinners.
- Meagan McClelland recorded her fifth shutout of the season, extending her career total to 25 clean sheets. She ranks fourth on the Rutgers career charts.
- Allison Lowrey added the second assist of her career.
- The Scarlet Knights have held all 12 opponents to single-digit shots on goal, as well as eight to single-digit shots overall.
- Dating back to 2016, Rutgers is 16-3-20 in its last 39 overtime contests, including a mark of 1-1-3 in five overtime games this season.
Follow Rutgers women's soccer on
Twitter,
Instagram, and
Facebook. Download the Scarlet Knights App for
Apple or
Android today.
- RU -
