Rutgers Women’s Lacrosse win Back-to-Back Home Games, Lose in Midweek at No. 12 Penn

The Rutgers women’s lacrosse squad led by coach Laura Brand Sias, won for the second straight time at Highpoint Solutions Stadium and moved its record to 4 and 2 on the season. After losing in midweek to nationally ranked Pennsylvania, the Scarlet Knights bounced back with a solid 15-7 win against visiting Drexel.

With the win, R.U. continued its undefeated start at home with a 2 and 0 record on its own field; the team dispatched of Delaware by the scoreline of 14-10 last week.

In midweek, Rutgers traveled to Philadelphia, PA to face no. 12 Penn and allowed 19 goals in a lopsided loss, 19-9.

In the loss however, many of Rutgers’ offensive players continued to stay hot as Samantha Budd scored, along with Abbey Brooks, Paige Paratore, Kerri Puckhaber, and Nicole Kopyta.

The balanced scoring attack is something that has been stressed by Coach Brand Sias, and has contributed to the solid 4-2 start.

On Saturday, Budd scored 4 goals for the second time at home this season, and has scored 8 goals at Highpoint Solutions Stadium, and has tallied 13 goals in the year’s first 6 games.

After leading Drexel 6-4 at the half, Rutgers scored 9 of the game’s last 12 goals, including 7 straight to close the game, capping another convincing victory.

Kerri Puckhaber also tallied 4 strikes against the Dragons after scoring a goal against Delaware and adding 2 in the loss at Penn.

Paige Paratore and Nicole Kopyta also scored a pair of goals vs. Drexel.

Rutgers offense stayed hot scoring at least 9 goals for the 4th straight game, and double digit goals for the third time in the last four games.

High scoring has been key for R.U. as In its 4 wins, it has scored double-digit goals but, in the two losses, the team failed to reach the 10-goal mark.

Rutgers opens Big Ten play in 2 weeks, but before the conference schedule begins, the Scarlet Knights face James Madison and Villanova.

James Madison will come into the game with a 5-0 record including a pair of impressive wins already on their slate. The Dukes defeated then no. 3 North Carolina at home in double overtime, and blew out Temple 19-7 on the road, an opponent who defeated Rutgers convincingly.