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.
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