No. 10 Rutgers field hockey delivers historic 2-1 victory over no. 4 Northwestern

The no. 10 Rutgers field hockey team defeated no. 4 Northwestern 2-1 at home on Friday in what was the highest ranked win in program history. The Scarlet Knights scored both goals in the first three minutes of the game before the defense took over to secure the victory.

Rutgers got on the board less than two minutes into the action off the first corner of the game. Milena Redlingshoefer scored on a rocket that was assisted by Katie Larmour and Kerrie Burns.

Only 39 seconds passed before RU took a 2-0 lead on another corner as Liz Romano stopped the Wildcats from clearing the ball and then found the back of the net.

The Scarlet Knights didn’t have another corner the rest of the game, but the defense held firm in the victory against the highest scoring team in the Big Ten. The Wildcats averaged 2.7 goals per game entering Friday’s matchup.

Goalkeeper Gianna Glatz, the reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week, was stellar once again. Northwestern held a 13-4 shot advantage in the game, as well as a 9-4 edge in shots on goal. However, Glatz allowed just one goal and made eight saves to help secure the win.

“We played to our team identity,” said Glatz. “We know Northwestern is a great team and well coached, so we needed to stay together as a team. Our team defense was awesome. Our defensive penalty corner group worked so hard this week, and we knew that if we outworked them, we could come out on top. Our team has worked so hard, our coaching staff has put us in the best position to win, so to get this win is just icing on the cake.”

Friday’s victory marked the first time in program history that RU has won three straight games against ranked foes after sweeping then no. 9 Penn State last weekend. It also was the seventh victory in program history over a top ten opponent, all of which have happened in the last three seasons.

The Scarlet Knights have also outscored opponents 19-5 through 11 contests this season.

Rutgers improved to 8-3 on the season and 5-2 in Big Ten play with the victory, while Northwestern fell to 8-3 overall and 4-3 in league play. The pair of top ten teams will face each other again this Sunday at noon, as Rutgers honors its lone departing senior, Gracey Butsack.