JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – No. 8 Rutgers women's lacrosse (1-0) used a fourth-quarter comeback to defeat No. 19 Jacksonville (0-2), 9-7, on Sunday afternoon at Rock Stadium. Down 7-5 with 12 minutes to play, the Scarlet Knights rallied with a 4-0 scoring run, including the game-winner from junior Kate Carolonza to propel RU to the road win.
 
Graduate student Marin Hartshorn tied the game at 7-7 with 8:36 left to go, while Carolonza took a pass from senior Jenna Byrne a minute later to give Rutgers its first lead of the fourth quarter. The Mountain Lakes, New Jersey native tallied a second goal at the 4:19 mark, as the Scarlet Knights held Jacksonville off the scoreboard for the remainder of the game.
 
The win over No. 19 Jacksonville marked the 13th win over a ranked opponent under head coach Melissa Lehman. The seven goals allowed was the third time Rutgers has held a ranked foe to seven goals or less in a win over the past two seasons.
 
Carolonza was one of five Scarlet Knights to produce multiple points on Sunday, as Carolonza, senior Cassidy Spilis and junior Ashley Moynahan tallied two goals apiece. Byrne finished with a team-high three helpers.
 
Senior Meghan Ball registered an impressive stat line on defense with 10 draw controls, five ground balls and four caused turnovers. Junior Sophia Cardello stopped 10 shots for her first win of the season.
 
Offense was at a premium in the first quarter, as the Dolphins held Rutgers off the board and registered two goals for a 2-0 lead through the first 15 minutes of play. Moynahan put the Scarlet Knights on the board with 11:15 to go in the second, as she took a pass from Byrne for the finish. Spilis followed for the first tie of the game at 2-2 with 10:39 before the break.
 
After Jacksonville responded with a goal, senior Ashley Campo converted a free position attempt with seven seconds on the first half clock, as Rutgers entered the locker room tied 3-3.
 
Rookie Ava Kane scored the first goal of the second half, while Spilis' second gave Rutgers a 5-4 lead at the 10:10 mark in the third quarter. The Dolphins would take control over the next 13 minutes of play, stretching a 3-0 scoring run across two quarters for a 7-5 lead with 12:28 left in regulation.
 
Hartshorn would settle the offense down the stretch, finding a cutting Moynahan to stop the home team's scoring run. The Allentown, New Jersey native followed with the game-tying score, while back-to-back goals from Carolonza propelled Rutgers to the win.
 
Up Next
Rutgers faces Monmouth on Wednesday, February 15 in West Long Branch, New Jersey. The game is set for a 2 p.m. ET start.