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No. 8 Rutgers field hockey suffered a 2-1 defeat to No. 5 Northwestern in the Big Ten Quarterfinals on Wednesday night in Iowa City, Iowa. The Scarlet Knights held a 10-6 shot advantage and 7-3 edge in corners, but they weren’t able to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
RU fell behind around five minutes into the game as Lakin Barry scored off of a deflection into the net on a penalty corner. In the second period, Bridy Molyneaux came through with a goal off an assist from Kassidy Shetler that tied the score. It remained that way at the half after Rutgers goalkeeper Gianna Glatz made 4 key saves.
Northwestern regained the lead for good after making a critical save on a RU penalty corner that they quickly turned around in transition. It resulted in Bente Baekers finding herself uncovered near the net and she delivered the decisive goal.
Rutgers had multiple chances to tie the game with a series of three consecutive penalty corners, but they couldn’t convert. After beating Northwestern twice in the regular season, they were unable to do it a third time.
The Scarlet Knights are unlikely to make the NCAA Tournament after this year’s field has been reduced to just 12 teams total and only two at-large selections. Despite a 9-6 record and no. 8 national ranking, the season is seemingly over after losing in the Big Ten Quarterfinals.
The good news is that all four seniors that received All-Big Ten honors, including Gianna Glatz and Katie Larmour as First Team selections as well as Kerrie Burns and Milena Redlingshoefer as Second Team selections, are set to return for next season. Rutgers has made tremendous strides the past three seasons under Co-Big Ten Coach of the Year Meredith Civico and the future looks bright.