PRINCETON, N.J. – No. 12 Rutgers field hockey continued its unbeaten streak to start the season. The Scarlet Knights earned a 2-1 win at No. 15 Princeton to improve to 6-0 on the year. RU earned its second ranked win of the season, and all six wins have come on the road. The 6-0 start represents the best record to open a year under head coach
Meredith Civico, and first time opening a campaign 6-0 since 2008.
Puck Winter had the game-winning goal in double overtime.
Bridy Molyneaux had the other goal for RU.
The game was scoreless through one quarter of tight battles. In the second quarter, RU had two early shots off a corner, but both were turned aside. The game would remain scoreless at it went to halftime, with the defense forcing Princeton to be unable to get a shot in the opening half.
Rutgers broke through in the third quarter on a
Bridy Molyneaux goal.
Guillermina Causarano started the play, pushing the ball at the goal.
Noelle Leaf chipped a pass to the right side, and Molyneaux batted the ball out of the air and into the net for the game's first goal.
Princeton answered just a few minutes later, on what was their first shot of the game. Off a corner, a shot that was redirected into the net, and the teams headed into the fourth quarter knotted at 1-1.
There would also be no scoring in the fourth quarter. The Scarlet Knights had a 9-1 shot advantage in regulation, but the Tigers goal on that lone shot meant the game was destined for extra time.
One overtime also wasn't enough. But in the second overtime, RU broke though. Off a corner,
Puck Winter blasted it home and RU captured the win.
Postgame Notes
- Rutgers improved to 6-0, which was the first time starting 6-0 under head coach Meredith Civico and first time since 2008 opening a year 6-0.
- RU claimed its second ranked win of the season, the seventh ranked win over the past two seasons, the 20th ranked win over the past three seasons and the 24th ranked win since the spring 2021 season along with the 40th ranked win for RU since Meredith Civico took over as the head coach.
- RU has represent four wins in the last five matchups against Princeton after RU won just three times in the first 22 matchups against the Tigers.
- Noelle Leaf's assist was her first career point.
- Molyneaux's goal was the 14th of her career.
- Winter's goal was her team leading sixth of the year.
Gallery: (9-10-2023) Field Hockey at Princeton
Up Next
Rutgers has another road game next, its seventh straight away from home to start the year, as RU opens Big Ten play Friday at 5 p.m. at Penn State. The Nittany Lions are currently ranked No. 11. Then on Sunday, RU has its home opener. The Scarlet Knights host La Salle on Sunday at 1 p.m.
