Rutgers Escapes UConn with Last-Second Goal in Big East Opener
from press release
STORRS, Conn. – The Rutgers women’s
lacrosse team (6-2, 1-0 BIG EAST) began conference play, winning
its opener against Connecticut (5-2, 0-1 BIG EAST) 10-9 on Saturday
afternoon in Storrs. Junior midfielder Ali Steinberg (Suffern,
N.Y.) scored the game-winner with six seconds left in regulation to
push the Scarlet Knights past the Huskies.
Rutgers built a 6-3 advantage over Connecticut in the first half
after facing a 3-2 deficit against the Huskies. Steinberg and
senior attacker Kristen Anderson (Wading River, N.Y.) scored the
game’s first two goals to put the Scarlet Knights ahead 2-0.
UConn tallied the next three goals to go up 3-2; however, Rutgers
went on a 4-0 run to close the half. Steinberg scored her second
goal of the game, while freshman Lauren Sbrilli (Martinsville,
N.J.) added a tally and junior attacker Lindsey Watts
(Hillsborough, N.J.) scored twice during the run.
Connecticut reversed fortunes in the second half, outscoring the
Scarlet Knights 6-4, but it was a goal with six seconds remaining
in the game that proved to be the deciding factor. Senior
midfielder Marlena Welsh (Jarrettsville, Md.) scored two goals in
the second half, helping to extend Rutgers to an 8-6 lead. RU and
UConn traded goals as Watts added another score to make it a 9-7
game. The Huskies eventually scored back-to-back goals to tie the
contest at 9-9.
With the clock winding down and six seconds remaining, Steinberg
found her team-leading third goal of the game on an assist from
Welsh as the Scarlet Knights earned the 10-9 road win.
Rutgers returns to action on Saturday, March 26, when it hosts
Syracuse at 1 p.m.
