WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – Rutgers women's lacrosse (2-0) defeated Monmouth (1-1), 11-5, on Wednesday afternoon in West Long Branch. Senior Cassidy Spilis netted a game-high four goals, as the Scarlet Knights shutout the Hawks in the second half to earn the road win at Kessler Stadium.
 
Spilis' four goals put her at 150 for her career, as she became just the fourth student-athlete in program history to exceed the 150 mark. On the defensive side, classmate Meghan Ball caused a game-high seven turnovers to surpass 100 for her career. Ball needs just five caused turnovers to pass Kristen Checksfield (2000-03) for the program record.
 
RU's defense registered another dominant outing, forcing Monmouth into 28 turnovers and allowing single-digit goals for the second consecutive game. Rutgers allowed just five shots in the second half, as eight Scarlet Knights forced at least one turnover. Junior goalkeeper Sophia Cardello earned her second win thanks to eight saves.
 
"Our defense was focused all game, but really clamped down in the second half," said head coach Melissa Lehman. "We knew they had talented cutters and they were good off ball, so we focused on that and we forced them into turnovers to give us possessions."
 
Spilis, graduate student Marin Hartshorn and senior Ashley Campo all added multi-goal outings. Senior Jenna Byrne dished out three assists for the second consecutive game.
 
First Quarter
Scoring was at a minimum in the first quarter, with Monmouth picking up the first goal of the game at the 6:01 mark for a 1-0 lead. Rutgers responded thanks to Spilis, who took a pass from senior Jenna Byrne and finished to tie the game. The Hawks added another goal late in the quarter for a 2-1 lead through the first 15 minutes of play.
 
Ball caused two turnovers in the first quarter, including one with 2:55 to go to hit the century mark for her career.
 
Second Quarter
After another goal from Monmouth, Hartshorn whipped around from the left side and finished for a unassisted score to make it 3-2 in favor of Monmouth with 10 minutes left in the half. Both teams would trade scores down the stretch ahead of halftime, including Spilis' second goal off a free position. MU's Mya Brock would add a goal in the final minutes to give the home team a 5-4 advantage heading into the locker room.
 
Third Quarter
Rutgers hit the has peddle out of the break, scoring back-to-back goals to take its first lead of the game. Rookie Lily Dixon netted her first collegiate goal, followed by Spilis' third to make it 6-5 Scarlet Knights with 12 minutes to play in the quarter.
 
Balls' fifth caused turnover set up a fourth goal from Spilis – scored on an 8-meter attempt – to extend RU's lead to 7-5. Campo added a free-position goal to provide Rutgers with a four-goal lead through three quarters.
 
Fourth Quarter
Hartshorn was the first to score in the final stanza, collecting her second of the day thanks to a nice assist from junior Ashley Moynahan for a 9-5 lead. Campo's second extended RU's lead to five, as Rutgers held on for the road win.
 
Up Next

• Rutgers hosts Georgetown on Saturday at SHI Stadium. The home opener is set for a 1 p.m. start and will stream on Big Ten Plus.