Syracuse University
Rutgers
Rutgers Defeats Field Hockey in BIG EAST opener, 1-0
9/20/2003 9:23:21 PM | Field Hockey
Senior midfielder Jennifer Noon (Shavertown, Pa.) scored on a direct corner strike off assists from Colleen Maniere (Princeton Junction, N.J.) and Megan Cech (Moorestown, N.J./Moorestown) at 40:10 of the second half to lift Rutgers to a 1-0 victory against Syracuse at J.S. Coyne Stadium. It was the BIG EAST Conference opener for both teams.
Rutgers improves to 4-4, 1-0 in the BIG EAST, while the Orangewomen are now 3-4, 0-1 in the league.
The teams played evenly in the first half. Neither team scored and each squad managed just one shot on goal.
After Noon tallied for Rutgers early in the second stanza, Syracuse tried desperately to gain possession and force something inside its own 25-yard line. During the final six minutes of the contest, the Orangewomen were able to force five penalty corners. They came close on two shots by sophomore back Joanne Lombard (Ambler, Pa.), who saw one of her corner shots sail just left of the goalpost, while another shot was nearly tipped into the cage by senior midfielder Jackie Sheaffer (Richfield, Pa.).
For Noon, it marked her team-leading fourth goal of the season. She leads the Scarlet Knights in points (eight), goals (four) and shots (20).
RU goalkeeper Meris Burton (Wilmington, Del.) recorded four saves on the night, including three in the second half. Besty Wagner (Cherry Hills, Colo.) finished with two saves for Syracuse.
Syracuse will play two road games next week against nationally-ranked opponents. The Orangewomen travel to No. 8-ranked Penn State on Sept. 23, and then play at No. 17-ranked Boston College on Sept. 28.
Rutgers 1, Syracuse 0
RU 0-1=1
SU 0-0=0
RU - 40:10 - Jennifer Noon (Colleen Maniere, Megan Cech) - direct corner
Shots: Syracuse 10, Rutgers 5
Saves: Betsy Wagner (Syracuse) 2, Meris Burton (Rutgers) 4
Penalty Corners: Syracuse 9, Rutgers 3
Attendance: 89
