Thursday, August 15
Newark, N.J.
6 p.m.
Rutgers University
1
at
0
NJIT
Mason's Late Goal Wins Opener at NJIT, 1-0
Aug 15 | Women's Soccer
NEWARK, N.J. - Senior Emily Mason headed home the game-winner in the 85th minute off a Riley Tiernan corner kick as Rutgers women's soccer (1-0) topped NJIT (0-1) by a 1-0 score in the 2024 season opener on Thursday on Lubetkin Field at Mal Simon Stadium.
The Scarlet Knights outshot the Highlanders, 20-4, in the second half while holding the lion's share of possession. The turned up pressure led to the game's lone goal in the 85th minute, when Tiernan stepped up to a corner kick. Tiernan's cross found Mason, who bounced a header past the NJIT keeper for the dramatic game-winner after the RU defense kept the rest of the sheet clean.
"Today was a big learning opportunity to figure out how to work together," Mason said. "Everyone left it all on the field. We had the opportunities, so now we know what to work on in training to finish those chances. It was amazing to have the chance to win it for the team, and Riley made that possible with her cross and my teammates setting the picks in the box."
RU and NJIT battled to a first-half scoreless draw despite RU turning up the pressure approaching the break. Four of Rutgers' seven first-half shots came during the final 15 minutes of the opening period, including Mikayla Mandleur's rocket that was stopped by a diving save.
In her Rutgers debut, Patricia Tsokos led the shot taking with five, followed by Tiernan and freshman Shaela Bradley's four apiece. Tsokos, Bradley, Audrey Cain, and Mason had Rutgers' four shots on goal. Olivia Bodmer made four saves in the shutout win.
NOTES
The Scarlet Knights outshot the Highlanders, 20-4, in the second half while holding the lion's share of possession. The turned up pressure led to the game's lone goal in the 85th minute, when Tiernan stepped up to a corner kick. Tiernan's cross found Mason, who bounced a header past the NJIT keeper for the dramatic game-winner after the RU defense kept the rest of the sheet clean.
"Today was a big learning opportunity to figure out how to work together," Mason said. "Everyone left it all on the field. We had the opportunities, so now we know what to work on in training to finish those chances. It was amazing to have the chance to win it for the team, and Riley made that possible with her cross and my teammates setting the picks in the box."
RU and NJIT battled to a first-half scoreless draw despite RU turning up the pressure approaching the break. Four of Rutgers' seven first-half shots came during the final 15 minutes of the opening period, including Mikayla Mandleur's rocket that was stopped by a diving save.
In her Rutgers debut, Patricia Tsokos led the shot taking with five, followed by Tiernan and freshman Shaela Bradley's four apiece. Tsokos, Bradley, Audrey Cain, and Mason had Rutgers' four shots on goal. Olivia Bodmer made four saves in the shutout win.
NOTES
- Emily Mason scored career goal No. 5.
- Riley Tiernan recorded career assist No. 24, moving her into a third-place tie in program history with Beth Schimenti (1986-89).
- Starting her second season in net, Olivia Bodmer recorded the 10th shutout of her career.
- Patricia Tsokos and Shaela Bradley started in the midfield in their Rutgers debut, marking Bradley's first collegiate appearance.
- Graduate student Sydney Urban also made her Rutgers debut in the starting lineup.
- Sophomores Ava Brass and Audrey Cain made their first collegiate starts, playing outside back.
- Sophomore Reilly McGlinn, and freshmen Riley Morris, Mikayla Mandleur, and Gabby Miller made their collegiate debuts in the first half.
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Soccer
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D/M
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Friday, August 15
