PISCATAWAY, N.J. – No. 4 Rutgers women's soccer made history on Sunday in a 2-0 victory over No. 21 Ohio State (5-2-1) at Yurcak Field in its 2022 Big Ten opener, becoming the only team in program history to start a season 9-0-0.
On a day where the program celebrated its former players, teams, and the 50th anniversary of Title IX on Alumni Day, the present Scarlet Knights gave a nod to their predecessors by doing something never done "On the Banks." Nine matches to start a campaign. Nine wins.
"It's a great feeling," said junior midfielder
Sara Brocious. "We set these goals at the beginning of the year. We were proud of going undefeated out of conference, but we always say conference play is a new slate. We came out knowing what we did last year, knowing how much more we can do, and we have so much faith in ourselves. We are proud, but excited to see what else we can do."
Allison Lowrey scored in the game's 6th minute, which went down as her third game-winning goal of the season as the Rutgers defense and goalkeeper
Meagan McClelland recorded the shutout of the nationally ranked Buckeyes. The RU defense allowed just two shots on target all game, but
Sara Brocious still bought some insurance in the 55th with her second goal of the season.
Lowrey's team-leading sixth tally of the year came early and came from a Brocious through ball that sprung a breakaway. Lowrey calmly tucked it away on the one-on-one attempt with the Ohio State keeper for the 1-0 lead.
Brocious completed her three-point day with a score in the 55th, another breakaway shot finished thanks to the ball played ahead by
Kylie Daigle.
Rutgers outshot Ohio State, 20-12, and 5-2 in shots on goal. An aggressive Rutgers attack was flagged for eight offsides calls, while the RU defense turned away four Ohio State corner kicks. Rutgers'
Gia Girman,
Adriana Kuryla, and
Giana Romano placed the other shots on target in the win. McClelland made two saves for her fourth shutout of the season.
Becci Fluchel,
Allison Lynch, and
Emily Mason played all 90 minutes in the shutout, while
Kassidy Banks turned in 81 minutes for Rutgers in the clean sheet.
KNIGHT NOTES
- The 9-0-0 start is the season is the only of its kind in Rutgers women's soccer history.
- The Rutgers defense has held all nine opponents to five shots on goal or less, and record less than three shots on goal allowed for the sixth time in nine matches.
- Meagan McClelland recorded her 39th career shutout, extending her NCAA active career lead.
- Career goal marks: Lowrey (14), Brocious (7)
- Career assist marks: Brocious (14), Daigle (8)
- Kylie Daigle has recorded a point in seven consecutive matches dating back to Aug. 25 at Providence.
- Emma Misal made her first start of 2022 on the backline, ending with 64 minutes.
- Rutgers improves to 10-0-2 against Ohio State all-time.
UP NEXT: The Scarlet Knights hit the road for the first time since Aug. 25 on Thurs., Sept. 22 at No. 8 Penn State at 6 p.m. and live on Big Ten Network.
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