Field Hockey Takes Out No. 18 Michigan in Final Seconds of Overtime

Friday, October 16

Piscataway, N.J.

3:00 PM

Rutgers

(8-6, 2-2)

Michigan

(6-7, 1-5)

Team	1	2	3	4	5	Final F
Michigan	1	0	1	0	0	2
Rutgers	0	0	2	0	1	3

Field Hockey Takes Out No. 18 Michigan in Final Seconds of Overtime

Oct 16 | Field Hockey

Box Score

PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Rutgers field hockey beat the overtime buzzer for a sudden victory as the Scarlet Knights toppled No. 18 Michigan 3-2 in the final seconds of an overtime thriller on Friday afternoon.

Rutgers improved to 8-6 overall on the season and 2-2 in Big Ten play. Michigan fell to 6-7 and 1-5 in the league. With the win, Rutgers earned its second ranked victory of the season.

The Scarlet Knights earned their fifth all-time win over Michigan. RU is now 4-4 in the last eight meetings dating back to 2021. Five of the past six meetings have been decided by one goal.

Olivia Fraticelli had the redirection on the game-winning goal and Anna Cogdell and Talia Schenck also scored for RU in the contest. Anna Cogdell had the assist on the game-winner, with Julia Vinas Nieto, Frederique Vernooij and Emma Uprichard also adding assists. Emily Nicholls made two saves.

Rutgers outshot Michigan 20-8, with their swarming defensive effort limiting Michigan's overall chances. Rutgers had seven corners to Michigan's three.

Michigan got on the board first, scoring on a corner 11 minutes into the game. After the initial play was blocked, the ball found an open player along the back post, who finished for the 1-0 visitors advantage.

Rutgers equalized early in the second quarter as RU raced down the field in transition. Emily Uprichard raced down the field to start the play after a tackle in the midfield. She sent a pass to Talia Schenck, who went 1-on-1 with the goalkeeper to carry around her and finish.

Michigan had an answer shortly after. After carrying in off the back line they found space in front to lift one over the goalkeeper for the 2-1 lead.

Late in the third quarter, RU equalized. It was a true corner play, with Cogdell taking the ball from the stick stop and firing in a shot to tie the game at 2-2.

And for a long time, the game remained at 2-2. The battles back and forth were intense as each squad looked for an equalizer. Both sides had a penalty stroke attempt in the game to attempt to add to their margin, but neither could convert. RU's shot was saved, while Michigan's try in overtime slid wide. Both teams would utilize player advantages down the stretch, as there was three five-minute yellow cards in the fourth quarter and overtime (two on Michigan, one on Rutgers) as well as four second half green cards.

In overtime, the teams battled tightly and the game was approaching a penalty shootout. With 10 seconds left showing on the stadium clock, Rutgers was awarded a corner. The Scarlet Knights set up for one last shot at goal, inserting the ball to the top. Julia Vinas Nieto trapped it and played it to the side, sending a pass to find Anna Cogdell in space. She sent the ball towards goal, where Olivia Fraticelli had the redirection in the final seconds of game play to give the Scarlet Knights the victory.

Up Next

Rutgers remains home and plays again on Sunday. The Scarlet Knights host Michigan State at 12 p.m. That game is Senior Day, as Rutgers hosts seven seniors in a postgame ceremony (Olivia Beattie, Olivia Fraticelli, Maddie Olshemski, Maddie Kidd, Emma Uprichard, Talia Schenck and Laura Loycke). RU also will celebrate Letterwinners Day and will honor the 2021 Big Ten Tournament champion team as the five-year anniversary of that team defeating Michigan in the title game approaches.