Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
#10 Rutgers
'Cats Narrowly Drop Match 2-1 to Rutgers
9/24/2021 4:48:00 PM | Field Hockey
EVANSTON, Ill. – No. 3 Northwestern dropped their conference opener to No. 10 Rutgers, 2-1.
Goalkeeper Annabel Skubisz was a force in the cage, putting up seven saves on 14 shots faced. Kayla Blas was a force on the defensive end alongside Skubisz and was the only 'Cat to find the back of the net.
The Wildcats and the Scarlet Knights battled for much of the first quarter, feeling each other out before either team got a good look on the cage. Rutgers managed to grab two corners, but both attempts were stopped short by Skubisz.
Rutgers earned another corner to start the second quarter, and hammered two shots right into Skubisz, who stopped both well before the net. The 'Cats managed to draw a final corner to end the quarter. Blas managed to put the ball away off a blocked shot from Bente Baekers and give Northwestern a 1-0 lead going into halftime.
The Scarlet Knights managed to sneak one in at the end of the third quarter; tying things back up going into the final quarter. Rutgers held onto their momentum and sent another one home with just five minutes left to play off a corner play.
Northwestern will hit the road for their next Big Ten match-up on Thursday at 5 p.m. CT against Maryland.
