PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers women's soccer (3-2-2) defeated Providence, 1-0, on a dramatic goal by Giana Romano in the 81st minute on Thursday night at Yurcak Field. Rutgers goalkeeper Olivia Bodmer recorded the three-save shutout – her third of the year – facing off against her older sister Emma, who started the game and posted a scoreless first 45 minutes before giving way to a substitution.

Rutgers was the first team to score in 2023 on Providence, who was the last team remaining in NCAA Division I women's soccer to not concede a goal.
 
SCORING SUMMARY

• The Scarlet Knights broke a long deadlock as the clock struck 80:00 in the second half. Kylie Daigle placed a dangerous free kick from 21 yards out, forcing a leaping save. The ball ricocheted off the crossbar and into the path of Allison Lowrey, who tried a headed that was blocked and bounced across the goal mouth for Romano's sliding toe tap into the net for the deciding score.

The first team to score on Providence all year: @RUWSoccer. 👏 pic.twitter.com/kB8NbFyx4y

— Big Ten Soccer (@B1GSoccer) September 8, 2023

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

• Olivia Bodmer fired her team up in the 67th minute, leaving her line to stop a breakaway attempt by Providence to keep the game scoreless.
• The Scarlet Knights earned two dangerous free kicks right outside the box in the second half. The first attempt from Sam Kroeger in the 73rd was saved with a dive. The second was Daigle's that led to the game-winner.

QUOTABLE
"It was a hard-earned win and one that we thought we earned through a great week of training and a positive mentality," said head coach Mike O'Neill. "Olivia really got us going in the second half with a big save, and that gave us a push forward to earn that goal and come out with a win. We know we're a good team and have played better than our record, so it's great to get one tonight."

Giana Romano talks to the @bigtenplus crew about the game-winner and a much-needed victory.#WeNeverStop🧹#ForeverRutgers pic.twitter.com/kdRQ0FDZkK

— RUTGERS WOMEN'S SOCCER (@RUWSoccer) September 8, 2023

STAT SHEET

• Providence led in shots, 14-12, but the Scarlet Knights had the 5-3 edge in shots on target.
• Daigle had a match-high three shots on goal, a season-high.
• Allison Lynch and Emily Mason played all 90 minutes in Rutgers' fourth shutout of the season.
• Olivia's older sister, Emma, made two saves in a scoreless opening 45 minutes before giving way to Katherine McElroy.

KNIGHT NOTES

• Rutgers was the first team to score in 2023 on Providence, who was the last team remaining in NCAA Division I women's soccer to not concede a goal.
• Former Big East member Rutgers is now 18-2-1 against Providence all-time, including a 9-0-1 mark at Yurcak Field. The Scarlet Knights are unbeaten at 4-0-1 over their last five against the Friars.
• Giana Romano scores her second collegiate goal – both of which have been game-winners. Her previous game-winning goal was the deciding score in a 2-1 win at Ohio State on Oct. 3, 2021.
• Career assists: Lowrey (12), Daigle (13)

LOOK AHEAD
The Scarlet Knights stay home to host UMass on Senior Day – Sun., Sept. 10 at 1 p.m. at Yurcak Field, streaming live on B1G+.
 

 
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