COLLEGE PARK, Md. – No. 13 Rutgers field hockey scored first and battled throughout on the road in its Big Ten opener at No. 7 Maryland Friday. However, a second half push from the hosts led to a 3-2 loss at the Terps.
 
Bridy Molyneaux and Anna Cogdell had the goals for RU. Cogdell, Guillermina Causarano and Paulina Niklaus recorded assists. On the year, Rutgers is still outscoring opponents 17-9 and has outshot opponents 85-50.
 
The Scarlet Knights got on the board first, converting on their first opportunity, putting home their first shot on goal. Ten minutes into the opening quarter, RU earned a corner. The ball was sent to the top of the circle to freshman Anna Cogdell, who sent the ball towards the back post. Senior captain Bridy Molyneaux was stationed perfectly at the back post and redirected the ball home for an early 1-0 lead. The goal came on the only shot of the first frame, as RU struck first. The goal held up into halftime, with a 1-0 lead for RU at the break.
 
In the third quarter, Maryland broke through in the final two minutes of the frame. The ball was crossed into the circle, and Hope Rose sent home the equalizer.
 
At the end of the third, RU pushed for a goal but were denied on a series of corner attempts.
 
In the fourth quarter, Maryland added two more goals. The hosts took the lead for good on a penalty stroke, then used a penalty corner to extend the advantage to 3-1.
 
RU would not relent, as Cogdell tallied to cut the deficit to 3-2 in the final minute, as RU capitalized on a corner of its own. However, the comeback ran out of time as the Terps iced the game.
 
Postgame Notes
 
Causarano leads the team with 14 points after her assists. She now has 58 career points, which places her 11^th all-time at RU. One more points will move her into a tie for 8^th place all-time at RU (Nicole Wilson, Brandi Bailey and Daphne Groothuis with 59).
 
The Terps entered the game with a goals-against-average of 0.63, sixth best in the nation. Rutgers scored twice, the first team to score multiple goals against Maryland this season through six games.
 
Rutgers and Maryland played for the 42^nd time all-time, with Maryland now holding a 35-5-1 lead in the all-time series. RU is 2-3 in the last five meetings.
 
Bridy Molyneaux goal was her first of this season and her 19^th in her career. Her next score would make her the 16^th RU player with 20 career goals, and just the fifth to notch 20 career goals in the past 15 years.
 
Freshman Anna Cogdell had her first collegiate assist, a career-high three points, and has recorded goals in back-to-back games.
 
Puck Winter had a defensive save, her fourth of the season. The Big Ten's leader in defensive saves and last season's NCAA leader in the statistic, Winter has 20 defensive saves in her career, the second most all-time at RU.
 
Up Next
 
Rutgers returns home on Sunday, as the Scarlet Knights will host another ranked team, facing in-state rival, No. 18 Princeton. Game time is at noon.
 
This marked the beginning of four straight games and seven out of nine games against ranked foes. Next week, RU hosts No. 4 Iowa on Friday, September 27, the lone game of that week. That will be followed the following Friday with a trip to No. 1 Northwestern.