Hoosiers Fall at No. 23 Rutgers, 2-0

Friday, September 22

Piscataway, NJ

3 PM

Indiana University

(5-4, 0-2)

Rutgers

(6-3, 1-0)

Indiana

Rutgers

9/22/2017 5:43:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

Johnson sets season high with 11 saves

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The Indiana field hockey team dropped their first Big Ten road game at No. 23 Rutgers, 2-0. The Hoosiers (5-4, 0-2) gave a formidable effort on the defensive end, but the Scarlet Knights (6-3, 1-0) found the win on two successful corner plays.

Leading the Hoosiers' defensive effort was senior Katie Johnson, who made a season-best 11 saves against 16 shots faced. Johnson blocked shots high and low, jamming the corners on point-blank shots and diving for clearances in one-on-one situations.

"We needed to get more shot opportunities," said Indiana head coach Amanda Janney. "Rutgers scored two nice goals against us and we didn't do a good job of responding."

Ciara Girouard topped Indiana's shot chart with three, two of which burned the edges of the goalpost. Maddie Latino and Sam Scire added to the chance creation, firing two shots apiece, and Sheridan Weiss provided an attempt on target.

The Scarlet Knights pulled ahead with the only goal of the first half in the 29^th minute. Austin Cuneo attempted a drag flick on Rutgers' third offensive penalty corner, but Johnson swatted out of the air and away from the top right corner of the cage. Gianna Mancini collected the rebound for Rutgers and sent a shot off of the half volley into the high netting.

Indiana created their best chance of the game in at the start of the second half. Latino made an intercept in their offensive third and made a solo drive to the stroke spot inside the half circle. The Scarlet Knight defense cleared the play before Latino could muster an attempt and the ball fell to Sam Scire, who launched two shots on target and drew a penalty corner. Girouard's ensuing attempt fell just wide of the cage.

With 16 minutes left to play, Rutgers doubled their goal advantage. The play was similar to their corner attempt on their first goal, only this time Cuneo's drag flick rifled into the high corner for a 2-0 lead.

"We need to improve our overall defensive awareness," Janney said. "We didn't intercept or play aggressive on defense, and we need to do those things to win games like this."

Up Next: Indiana (5-3, 0-1) at No. 25 Monmouth (6-2, 0-0)
Sunday, Sept. 24 • 12:00 p.m. ET • West Long Branch, N.J. • So Sweet A Cat Field
Live Stats • Live on WatchESPN • @HoosiersFH on Twitter

The Hoosiers head to the Atlantic shore to face No. 25 Monmouth, their sixth top 25 opponent in the first ten games of the year. Indiana and Monmouth will play their first meeting on turf at noon on ESPN3. The setting is significant for sophomore Sam Scire and freshman Hanna Zarrilli, who played club hockey on So Sweet A Cat Field and grew up 20 minutes north of Monmouth.

"They'll be another tough Jersey team," said Janney. "We need to make sure that we play up to our standard. It's going to be a big challenge, but we really need a response from today."

This matchup is Indiana's second of three this season against reigning conference champions, as Monmouth won the MAAC title in 2016. The Hawks opened the weekend with a 4-1 home win over Drexel (3-6).

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