Syracuse University
Rutgers
Romagnuolo's Late Goal Gives SU 1-0 Win
10/15/2010 10:27:23 PM | Women's Soccer
Box Score | Watch Postgame Interviews
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Syracuse took a step closer toward qualifying for the BIG EAST Tournament with a 1-0 victory against Rutgers on Friday, Oct. 15 at the SU Soccer Stadium. Sophomore Tina Romagnuolo scored with 3:37 remaining in regulation on an assist from sophomore Patricia Lind for the game-winner.
The win, which came in a steady rain, improves the Orange's record to 6-7-4 overall and 3-4-1 in BIG EAST play. The six victories are the most for Syracuse since the 2007 season when it won seven games. Rutgers is now 8-8-0 overall and 3-5-0 in conference action.
“The win is huge,” said Syracuse head coach Phil Wheddon. “It was a hard-fought game. Rutgers is a very good team. We moved the ball in very difficult conditions. It was a matter of time before someone scored. There were chances on both ends. We've had chances like we had on the final goal before and we've swung wildly at them or tried to beat the ball into the back of the net. But Tina placed it nicely. She opened up her body and slotted it to the left of the goalkeeper. That's a world-class goal.”
Freshman goalkeeper Brittany Anghel recorded eight saves and posted her fifth shutout of the season. She is now tied for fifth on Syracuse's single-season record list for shutouts and ranks seventh in saves (79).
With the game tied, 0-0, at halftime, the Orange came out strong in the second half, recording two shots on goal and earning a corner kick in the first three minutes of play. Syracuse continued to apply pressure and had a chance to take the lead in the 54th minute when freshman Cecilia Borgstrom stole the ball from a Rutgers defender and got by goalkeeper Samantha Peretty, but her shot went just wide. The Orange finally broke through in the 86th minute. The ball was played into the box to Lind, who passed it to Romagnuolo. She put her shot into the back of the net to give Syracuse its first win against Rutgers since 2001. It was Romagnuolo's fourth goal of the season and 13th of her career, which ties her for ninth on Syracuse's career record list. For Lind, it was her first career assist.
The first half featured back-and-forth action, as Rutgers produced six shots, while Syracuse had four and earned one corner kick. Orange sophomore Rosina Callisto had the best scoring chance of the half, but her shot in the 37th minute hit the crossbar to keep the game tied at 0-0.
Syracuse outshot Rutgers, 14-13, and earned four corner kicks to three for the Scarlet Knights. Emmy Simpkins started in goal for RU and recorded one save in the first half. Samantha Perretty played the second half in goal and made three saves.
The Orange plays its final regular-season home game on Sunday when it hosts Seton Hall at 1 p.m. at the SU Soccer Stadium. Syracuse seniors Marjory Elwell and Megan Bellingham will be honored in a pregame ceremony. Admission is free of charge.
