Northwestern
11-2, 4-0Big Ten
#15 Rutgers
10-3, 2-2Big Ten
Career Performances Power No. 3 'Cats Past Rutgers, 21-13
4/7/2022 10:11:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
EVANSTON, Ill. – Behind a non-stop offensive barrage, No. 3 Northwestern powered past No. 15 Rutgers, 21-13, at Ryan Fieldhouse on Thursday night. The Wildcats (11-2, 4-0 Big Ten) won their seventh game in a row and their 21 goals were the most allowed by the Scarlett Knights this season.
Lauren Gilbert and Jill Girardi were once again the stars for NU, as both had career outings. Gilbert posted a career and game-high eight goals. Girardi added four goals in addition to an impressive 19 draw controls; a career high and the most by any Big Ten player in a game this season. It's the second most in program history, trailing only Brennan Dwyer's 21 draw controls against Arizona State on Feb. 16, 2020.
Eight other 'Cats found the back of the net, showcasing the depth of the Northwestern roster. The Wildcats shot a season-high 50 times and outshot Rutgers, 50-24. A high-octane first quarter – where Northwestern outscored the Scarlet Knights 8-4 – proved too high a barrier for Rutgers to overcome. The 'Cats never trailed in the wire-to-wire win.
Kendall Halpern tallied her first goal of the season with a behind the back shot halfway through the opening quarter. Gilbert, meanwhile, earned herself a hat trick in the quarter alone. Three other 'Cats added to the scoreboard, combining to build an 8-4 lead.
Rutgers managed to get as close as one goal in the second quarter as the Wildcat offense started to cool off. Gilbert grabbed a goal with 20 seconds left in the half to stretch the Northwestern advantage to 11-9. Gilbert scored her 50th goal of the season to start the third quarter and Girardi completed her hat trick to reestablish the Wildcat lead, 15-12.
Samantha Smith and Samantha White got on the board in the final quarter to extend Northwestern's lead to six points with just under three minutes left to play. Gilbert netted her final goal of the game to put the game out of reach for Rutgers. The 'Cats ended the game on a 5-0 run.
Northwestern won its 17th straight Big Ten Conference game, building on a program record.
The Wildcats remain in Evanston to host San Diego State at noon CT on Sunday, April 10, for their opening game at Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium.
