PHILADELPHIA – The University of Pennsylvania field hockey team (0-1) opened the season on their home turf but fell to visiting Rutgers (3-0) 1-0 on Friday afternoon at Ellen Vagelos field. The contest marked the first meeting between the two sides since 2014.

"I think we adjusted well into the second half," said junior back Paige Meily following the contest. "We tried to pressure early and made sure we were marking well, but they got a few corner opportunities which wasn't ideal."

HOW IT HAPPENED
*The Quakers came out hard from the get go and had chances in the first eight and a half minutes of the contest with three penalty corner opportunities. All three shots off those chances were blocked by the Rutgers defense to keep the score at 0-0.

*In the 33rd minute, senior goalkeeper Liz Mata turned away a golden look from the Scarlet Knights, deflecting a shot off a Rutgers corner to the far left of the field. The opportunity would close the half with both teams knotted at 0-0.

*Rutgers came out firing in the second stanza, but the Penn defense continued to stay strong in the circle. The Quakers turned away two chances by Nikki Santore and Alanna Gollotto in the first 10 minutes of the second half to maintain the scoreline.

*In what would prove to be the game-winner, Rutgers Daphne Groothuis connected in the striking circle and finished to the low right post off a penalty corner at the 57:47 mark to put the visitors ahead. Linde van Schaik and Gollotto would be credited with assists as Rutgers took the 1-0 lead.

*Penn continued to counter following the deficit but had trouble finding openings in the attacking end. After a Penn timeout with 3:07 left to play, head coach Colleen Fink pulled Mata from net and played junior defender Paige Meily as a kicking back as the Red and Blue tried to create an attacking advantage with an additional field player.

*The effort wouldn't be enough to close the match. Rutgers improved to 3-0 with the win while the Quakers fell to 0-1 to open the season.

*Rutgers held a 10-8 advantage in shots while shots on goal were tied at four apiece. Corners were also tied, 4-4. Rutgers held a slight advantage in saves at 4-3.

NEXT UP
The Quakers return to action on Sunday, September 3rd when they host No. 1-ranked North Carolina on Ellen Vagelos field for the second straight year. Game time is slated for noon and admission is free.

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