No. 20 Field Hockey Defeats No. 12 Syracuse in Penalty Shootout

Sunday, September 6

Piscataway, N.J.

2 PM

Rutgers

(1-2)

Syracuse

(3-0)

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Final F
Syracuse	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1
Rutgers	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	2

No. 20 Field Hockey Defeats No. 12 Syracuse in Penalty Shootout

Sep 06 | Field Hockey

Box Score

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – No. 20 Rutgers field hockey defeated No. 12 Syracuse on Sunday to wrap up the Big Ten / ACC Challenge in thrilling fashion. The Scarlet Knights overcame a fourth quarter deficit to win, 2-1, after a penalty shootout. Rutgers improved to 2-2 on the year with the ranked win and dropped Syracuse who advanced to the NCAA Quarterfinals in two of the past three seasons, to 3-1.

Olivia Fraticelli had the goal in regulation for RU, while RU goalkeeper Emily Nicholls had six saves. RU had the advantage in shots (20-12) and corners (11-2).

"We had a lot of confidence in our goalkeeper and our players once we got to that shootout," head coach Meredith Civico. "We stayed calm and executed on exactly what we trained. I'm so proud of the team for staying composed and executing in that moment."

Syracuse scored first on the game's first shot, as they took the ball past the defense into space and launched a shot into the top of the net for an early 1-0 lead.

The Scarlet Knights came back with a ton of offensive pressure from there, taking seven of the next eight shots in the game. Syracuse kept RU off the scoreboard with a diving save by the goalkeeper and stopping RU corner attempts, taking a 1-0 lead into halftime.

Early in the second half, RU looked to have an equalizer, putting the ball home after a corner with an Olivia Fraticelli finish. However, after video review, the home team saw their goal taken off the board and Syracuse retained a 1-0 lead.

In the fourth quarter, RU had to play down a player for 10 minutes after a yellow card at the 11:50 mark, and then were two players down, but continued to push for an equalizer. RU finally broke through on a great offensive play. Frederique Vernooij lifted a long pass down the field for Olivia Fraticelli. The senior then had a great run to beat the defense and score with a highlight-reel finish to tie the game at 1-1.

"That goal from Olivia Fraticelli was so good," Civico said. "We were all watching the buildup happen as Frederique Vernooij threw the overhead pass. That's something we trained this week, so to have those two have that great connection was great. That's what Olivia Fraticelli does, she scores goals. She was so composed being able to read and beat the goalkeeper. It was a great, great finish from her."

The Scarlet Knights continued to push for another goal as game progressed. RU had a series of corners in the final minute of regulation, but couldn't finish, as the game went into a 15-minute extra session.

The Scarlet Knights would play the first nine minutes of overtime up a player, and kept heavy pressure on their ACC foes, earning multiple corners and taking four of the first five shots in the extra frame. The game then went into a shootout.

In the shootout, RU excelled, scoring four times. The Scarlet Knights held Cuse to just one make to win the shootout and clinch the victory.

With the Win

Rutgers earned its 20^th win over a non-conference foe over the past two seasons
The ranked win was be the team's 54^th ranked win since 2012 and 51^st since 2017.
Rutgers has 35 ranked wins since the start of the spring 2021 season.
Rutgers earned its eighth win all-time against former BIG EAST Conference mate Syracuse, with the lifetime series dating back to 1982. It was the first win over Syracuse since September 10, 2021, a 3-2 win in double-overtime. RU earned their second win over Syracuse since 2004.
The win over No. 12 Syracuse was the highest ranked win for RU since November 7, 2024 (defeating No. 7 Ohio State) and was the highest ranked road win in non-conference play since defeating No. 6 UConn on September 3, 2021.

Up Next

RU has two more ranked foes next weekend. On Friday, RU plays at No. 2 Princeton and then on Sunday they play host to No. 9 UConn. Five of the first six RU opponents are ranked. Nine teams on RU's schedule to be ranked in the preseason of NFHCA Coaches Poll.