Thursday, August 17
Piscataway, N.J.
7:00 PM
Rutgers University
1-0-0, 0-0-0
2
vs
0
Holy Cross
0-1-0, 0-0-0
1st half1
2nd half2
FinalF
Holy Cross
0
0
0
Rutgers
2
0
2
Women’s Soccer Blanks Holy Cross, 2-0, in Opener
Aug 17 | Women's Soccer
Tiernan & Lowrey score in support of Bodmer’s shutout in first collegiate start
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers women's soccer (1-0-0) started 2023 on a winning note with a 2-0 shutout of Holy Cross (0-1-0) on Opening Night at Yurcak Field Thursday.
Riley Tiernan's early marker in just the sixth minute of play stood up as the game-winner thanks to the defense locking down the Crusaders, who managed just two shots – both on net and both saved by debuting redshirt freshman goalkeeper Olivia Bodmer in her first shutout.
In the 14th, Allison Lowrey drew a foul in the box after some crisp, short passing, and converted the ensuing penalty for the insurance goal. It marks the second consecutive season Lowrey scored in the opener for the Scarlet Knights.
Rutgers has won eight consecutive season openers and remain unbeaten in season openers in 22 consecutive years since 2002.
"It's always difficult attacking a team that sits in," said head coach Mike O'Neill. "There's not a lot of space to play, so sometimes you force it and it takes away confidence. We need to stick to the way we play, and I felt at times, we did that and created chances. Now we just need to get a little better at the execution."
The Scarlet Knights put five shots on net in the second half, which were all turned away. Freshman forward Ashley Baran came inches from scoring her first collegiate goal in the 87th minute, knocking a shot off the right post after a centering pass from Allison Lynch. Holy Cross, meanwhile, could not muster up any dangerous offense on the other end.
Sophomore midfielder Allie Post, in her first collegiate start, picked up the assist on Tiernan's game-winner. Her hard shot was blocked after the Holy Cross keeper broke up a long free ball in from Becci Fluchel. The ball deflected advantageously in the box to Tiernan, who fired one-time into the right-side netting for the early 1-0 lead.
Joining Bodmer and Post in their first collegiate starts was sophomore back Naila Schoefberger, who played 60 minutes in the shutout. Graduate transfer forward Gia Vicari made her Rutgers debut in the starting lineup, taking one shot in 74 minutes of action.
Freshmen Olivia Russomanno and Alyssa Martinez joined Baran in college debuts on Thursday at Yurcak.
Overall, RU outshot Holy Cross, 22-2 with a 10-2 advantage in shots on goal.
Tiernan tallied goal No. 13 of her career, while Lowrey netted her 16th. Post picked up the third assist of her young career, making her 14th collegiate appearance in the 2023 opener.
The Scarlet Knights continue the two-match homestand to open the season on Sun., Aug. 20 against Hofstra at 7 p.m. at Yurcak Field.
Follow Rutgers women's soccer on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Download the Scarlet Knights App for Apple or Android today.
- RU -
Riley Tiernan's early marker in just the sixth minute of play stood up as the game-winner thanks to the defense locking down the Crusaders, who managed just two shots – both on net and both saved by debuting redshirt freshman goalkeeper Olivia Bodmer in her first shutout.
First start in net. First shutout.
— RUTGERS WOMEN'S SOCCER (@RUWSoccer) August 18, 2023
Olivia Bodmer breaks down her collegiate debut with the @bigtenplus crew.#WeNeverStop🧹#ForeverRutgers pic.twitter.com/PdIELoXe0b
In the 14th, Allison Lowrey drew a foul in the box after some crisp, short passing, and converted the ensuing penalty for the insurance goal. It marks the second consecutive season Lowrey scored in the opener for the Scarlet Knights.
Rutgers has won eight consecutive season openers and remain unbeaten in season openers in 22 consecutive years since 2002.
"It's always difficult attacking a team that sits in," said head coach Mike O'Neill. "There's not a lot of space to play, so sometimes you force it and it takes away confidence. We need to stick to the way we play, and I felt at times, we did that and created chances. Now we just need to get a little better at the execution."
The Scarlet Knights put five shots on net in the second half, which were all turned away. Freshman forward Ashley Baran came inches from scoring her first collegiate goal in the 87th minute, knocking a shot off the right post after a centering pass from Allison Lynch. Holy Cross, meanwhile, could not muster up any dangerous offense on the other end.
Sophomore midfielder Allie Post, in her first collegiate start, picked up the assist on Tiernan's game-winner. Her hard shot was blocked after the Holy Cross keeper broke up a long free ball in from Becci Fluchel. The ball deflected advantageously in the box to Tiernan, who fired one-time into the right-side netting for the early 1-0 lead.
6th Minute Strike! Riley Tiernan scores goal No. 1 of the 2023 season after Allie Post's attempt is blocked off the free kick.#WeNeverStop🧹#ForeverRutgers pic.twitter.com/uMYq0JwMV9
— RUTGERS WOMEN'S SOCCER (@RUWSoccer) August 17, 2023
Joining Bodmer and Post in their first collegiate starts was sophomore back Naila Schoefberger, who played 60 minutes in the shutout. Graduate transfer forward Gia Vicari made her Rutgers debut in the starting lineup, taking one shot in 74 minutes of action.
Freshmen Olivia Russomanno and Alyssa Martinez joined Baran in college debuts on Thursday at Yurcak.
Overall, RU outshot Holy Cross, 22-2 with a 10-2 advantage in shots on goal.
Tiernan tallied goal No. 13 of her career, while Lowrey netted her 16th. Post picked up the third assist of her young career, making her 14th collegiate appearance in the 2023 opener.
The Scarlet Knights continue the two-match homestand to open the season on Sun., Aug. 20 against Hofstra at 7 p.m. at Yurcak Field.
Follow Rutgers women's soccer on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Download the Scarlet Knights App for Apple or Android today.
- RU -
Team Stats
HC
RUT
Goals
0
2
Shots
2
22
Shots on Goal
2
10
Saves
8
2
Corners
3
9
Fouls
16
1
Scoring Plays
Riley Tiernan (1)
Assisted By: Allie Post
GOAL by RUT Tiernan, Riley Assist by Post, Allie.
05:37
Allison Lowrey
RUT Allison Lowrey PENALTY KICK GOAL.
13:03
Game Leaders
Shots
3
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
mid
Shots
3
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
3
SOG
3
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's SoccerM/B
/ Women's SoccerF
/ Women's Soccer
B
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's SoccerM
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's Soccer
B
/ Women's SoccerF
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's SoccerRutgers Women's Soccer vs. Michigan Highlights | 10/19/2025
Thursday, October 23
Rutgers Athletics Launches the Athletic Excellence Fund
Monday, October 06
Rutgers Women's Soccer vs. Fairfield Highlights | 8/17/2025
Monday, August 18
Rutgers Women's Soccer vs. NJIT Highlights | 8/14/2025
Friday, August 15
