COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Rutgers field hockey (8-9) battled against No. 1 Northwestern (19-0), but ultimately fell, 2-0 to be eliminated in the Big Ten Tournament Semifinals. Puck Winter had multiple defensive saves, and RU never relented, but couldn't topple the top-ranked Wildcats.

Puck Winter had four defensive saves, her personal career high for a single game. That gave her 25 in her career, making her the new RU record holder in career defensive saves. She is also tied for the NCAA lead this season with 9. 

Northwestern struck first, capitalizing on a penalty corner earned in the first minute of the game. After some passing around the circle found the Big Ten's Offensive Player of the Year, Ashley Sessa roofed a shot, scoring her 21^st goal of the season to an early 1-0 lead for the Wildcats. The remainder of the opening half was played tightly contested from there. At intermission, Northwestern held a one-goal lead, with a 4-2 advantage on shots and 1-1 in corners. Sophia Howard made three saves across the first thirty minutes to keep the margin at bay.

Rutgers pressed in the second half to score. In the third, a corner attempt was halted, and another shot went just wide by the back post.

Late in the third quarter, RU had to play down a player for five minutes due to a yellow card. RU blocked the resulting corner and shortly after held off the attack of another two corner attempts. The Wildcats had five corners in the third stanza, but RU continued to keep them off the board. Puck Winter was a standout in that defensive penalty corner group, making a series of excellent plays to knock the ball away from empty parts of the cage, earning two defensive saves in the time that the Scarlet Knights were killing off the five-minute card.

Rutgers refused to relent in the game and continued pushing to score in the fourth quarter. The team earned a penalty corner with eight minutes to play, but were turned aside.

The Scarlet Knights made a strong push late, especially as they gained a player advantage. RU had a great attempt at a redirection play, but the ball just couldn't connect.

With just under three minutes to play, RU pulled the goalkeeper for an extra attacker. Northwestern then scored an insurance tally to ensure the victory.