PISCATAWAY, N.J. – No. 9 Rutgers field hockey picked up its first road win of the season, defeating Monmouth 3-2 in double overtime on Friday. Senior Paulina Niklaus delivered the game winner in the second overtime period to improve the Scarlet Knights to 2-0 and hand the Hawks their first loss (2-1) of the season.
 
Niklaus, who was coming off a two-assist game in the season opener, scored her first goal of the season on an assist from Guillermina Causarano.
 
The Scarlet Knights jumped out ahead of the Hawks with a 2-0 edge behind a pair of goals from Kara Heck and Vicky Jure. For Heck, it was her second goal of the season, coming on an assist from Olivia Beattie. Vicky Jure took a pass from Sophie Kuiper at the 19:50 mark to give Rutgers the two-goal halftime lead.
 
Monmouth closed the gap in the second half with a penalty stroke goal in the third quarter from Milla Frye and added the tying score in the fourth quarter from Anna Moors.
 
The Scarlet Knights offense pressed the issue in the first overtime, holding a 9-1 shot advantage that forced five saves from the Hawks. The MU defense would eventually falter in the second overtime with Niklaus providing the deciding score in the 71st minute. Rutgers outshot Monmouth 20-9 for the game.
 
The Scarlet Knights return to Piscataway to host UConn on Sunday, September 8 at the Bauer Complex. The game is slated for a noon start and will broadcast live on B1G+.