COLLEGE PARK, Maryland – No. 20 Rutgers field hockey was involved in a frantic finish on the road at No. 2 Maryland. The Scarlet Knights trailed 3-1 after a Terps goal with 4:25 to play, but responded with two quick goals just under two minutes apart, levelling the game at 3-3 with 1:46 to play in regulation. However, Maryland (14-1, 7-0 Big Ten) responded with the game-winning goal with just 41 seconds to play to claim a 4-3 victory.
In an incredible effort on the road against the league leading Terps, RU scored just four minutes into the game, and held that lead into the fourth quarter. The Scarlet Knights got goals from
Marique Dieudonne,
Indy van Ek and
Guillermina Causarano, while
Rachel Houston had a standout performance with three assists. In goal,
Sophia Howard had nine saves, and
Annie Walsh had a defensive save.
In the game, Maryland outshot RU 20-7. The Terps also had an 11-3 advantage on penalty corners.
RU opened up the scoring just 4:33 into the contest, capitalizing on their lone penalty corner of the opening half. Shooting from the top of the circle,
Marique Dieudonne fired one into the back of the cage for an early 1-0. The Scarlet Knights held that advantage for the next 35 minutes, fending off a number of UM chances. The home team finally equalized at the 39 minute mark, sending in a pass from the right side and finishing in front. A Leah Crouse blast in the 49
th minute gave Maryland then lead, and then Bibi Donraadt scored in the 56
th minute to put the Terrapins ahead 3-1 with just under five minutes to play.
However, RU quickly pushed back and showed their resilience. Just 50 seconds after Maryland took a two-goal lead, the Scarlet Knights answered back.
Rachel Houston carried the ball into the circle, and sent it in front, where
Indy van Ek had the redirect to bring RU back within one goal at 3-2.
But the Scarlet Knights were not done. Less than two minutes later, Houston again had the ball in the circle fighting to equalize. She sent a hard shot in from a tough angle, and
Guillermina Causarano had the presence in front of the net to score and tie the game at 3-3 with just 1:46 remaining in regulation.
However, the home team had one last goal in them. Leah Crouse put a shot on net that snuck through with just 41 seconds remaining to clinch the win for Maryland.
With the win, Maryland improved to 7-0 in the Big Ten and clinched at least a share of the league title. Rutgers stands at 7-7 overall and 3-4 in conference play.
The Scarlet Knights have three regular season games remaining. Next Sunday, RU is at No. 11 Syracuse, a 12 p.m. game that will be broadcast nationally on ACC Network. Then, the Scarlet Knights are home for a final weekend, hosting No. 4 Penn State and No. 17 James Madison.
Postgame Notes
- Howard's 10 saves marked her third double-digit save performance of the season, just one shy of a career-high.
- Rachel Houston had a career-high three assists, her first multi-assist game of her career.
- The three points tied her career-high in points.
