PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers field hockey returned to the Bauer Complex on Friday afternoon after three straight road games and was in command throughout the game, earning a 2-0 victory over Michigan State. The Scarlet Knights were buoyed by goals from Sophie Kuiper and Paulina Niklaus in improving to 5-7 overall and 2-4 in Big Ten play. Sophia Howard made two saves in her second shutout of the season in blanking the Spartans, who fell to 7-7 overall and 0-4 in the league.

The Scarlet Knights improved to 12-8-1 all-time against the Spartans. RU has had the upper hand dating back to 2017, with nine straight victories over MSU.

Rutgers had a 10-4 advantage in shots in the game, with a 7-2 margin in shots on goal. There was a low number of corners in the game, just 2-1 in favor of the hosts.

RU took the lead initially at the 9:37 mark of the opening quarter. Ava Cickavage made a strong play to initiate the offense, driving the ball into the circle and firing it towards the goal. Sophie Kuiper was stationed in front of the goalkeeper, and she redirected the ball into the back of the net for the early 1-0 advantage.

That 1-0 lead would stay until the fourth quarter. With eight minutes remaining in the contest, RU was awarded a penalty stroke. Captain Paulina Niklaus stepped to the dot, and she converted the stroke for a key insurance goal. RU made that margin stand up for a 2-0 victory.

The shutout was RU's second of the year and first since the season opener against Vermont. Along with an eight-game winning streak over the Spartans, RU has now outscored MSU 18-4 over the past six contests.

Niklaus now has seven goals on the season, taking over as RU's leading goal scorer. Kuiper's goal was her second of the season, first in Big Ten play and first since her first career goal last month, on September 15 against Miami (Ohio). Cickavage recorded her first assist of the season and first point overall since tallying in the season opener.

Up next is another home game this Sunday, as Rutgers will host No. 3 Ohio State at noon. The Scarlet Knights will continue their annual letterwinners weekend as they are set to welcome back over 25 alumns Sunday for a pregame brunch and walkout. The Letterwinners Celebration is part of Rutgers' overall Homecoming Weekend, as the field hockey program will also host a tailgate for alumns at Saturday's football game versus UCLA. The game will be streamed on B1G+.