PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers women's soccer (7-1-1, 3-0-0) defeated Washington (4-3-2, 1-2-0) by a 1-0 score on Sunday at Yurcak Field in the first meeting as Big Ten opponents. The shutout was Rutgers' sixth consecutive clean sheet, spanning 550 minutes of scoreless soccer on defense.
Riley Tiernan, one of the nation's premier assisters, was on the receiving end of an excellent pass for the opening goal in just the fourth minute.
Shaela Bradley cleared space for
Emily Mason behind the midfield logo, where she launched a long ball over the Washington backline for Tiernan, who blasted a left-footed rocket from inside the Huskies' 18 into the top-left of the net for the quick 1-0 lead.
The Tiernan strike was all the Rutgers defense needed, holding Washington to three shots on goal – the seventh time in nine games opponents could manage three shots on target or less. Redshirt sophomore
Olivia Bodmer made three saves in her sixth solo shutout of the year.
"We play as a team, we defend as a team," Bodmer said. "All 31 of us are doing what we can to help this team. We call each other sisters, and it helps to have them in front of me. I can't thank them enough; they are the best backline I could ask for. They instill confidence in not just me, but the whole team."
As Tiernan's goal stood as the lone score in the first half, the defense held Washington to a single shot on goal through 45 minutes. The Huskies managed two more in the second half and by game's end, took just one corner kick opportunity.
Outside of Tiernan's goal,
Ashley Baran took Rutgers' only other shot on goal, which was saved. Early in the second half, Bradley had a left-footed chance that beat the keeper, but struck the post and bounced back into play.
Senior center backs
Kassidy Banks and
Emily Mason continued their streaks of playing every minute this season, while
Patricia Tsokos also played all 90 in the shutout of Washington on defense.
Rutgers heads back on the road for a Big Ten match at Michigan on Thu., Sept. 26 at 8 p.m. airing live on Big Ten Network.
NOTES
- Rutgers starts 3-0 in Big Ten play for the second time since joining the conference in 2014. The Scarlet Knights won the Big Ten title in 2021 going 10-0.
- The clean sheet marked Rutgers' sixth consecutive shutout, the first such stretch since 2017 when the Scarlet Knights opened the season with nine straight clean sheets.
- Riley Tiernan scored career goal No. 18 for her 66th career point.
- Riley Tiernan tied her sister Madison (Tiernan) Richard for eighth place all-time at Rutgers with 66 career points.
- Career assists: Emily Mason (6), Shaela Bradley (3)
- Rutgers has allowed four shots on goal or less in all nine games, and three or less in seven of nine.
- Rutgers is now 3-1 against Washington all-time in the first meeting since 2010.
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