PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The La Salle field hockey defense was the shining star in a game that allowed just two goals against nationally ranked No. 8 Rutgers on Wednesday evening.

The loss ends the Explorers win streak and moves their record to 2-1 on the season while the Scarlet Knights record their first win improving to 1-2.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The La Salle backline started strong protecting the net just 3:40 into the game from a penalty corner attempt from the Scarlet Knights. Explorer freshman Malena Balduzzi charged the shot taker at the top of the circle in time to get a stick on the ball and deflect it up and over the goal to prevent the scoring opportunity.
• 5: 55 into play the Explorers saw its first chance to take a lead. Sol Espona collected the ball on the right side and weaved her way through the Rutgers defense to the top of the circle where she ripped off a back-handed shot at the cage. Unfortunately, the Rutgers goalkeeper was up to the challenge and recorded the save.
• With just under two minutes remaining in the first frame the Scarlet Knights earned another corner attempt. Laura McCann assumed the flyer roll reaching the shooting to block the initial shot. Rutgers collected the loose ball for a quick second-attempt that broke through the Explorers' defense and found the back of the cage to give the Scarlet Knights a 1-0 lead.
• Just about halfway through the second quarter, Rutgers added a second goal in similar style to its first. A corner led to an initial shot saved by Ryan Curley on the left post, but a recovered ball and shot across the front to the right post made its way into the cage for the 2-0 advantage.
• The Explorers saw their best chance at scoring earning their first corner at the 40-minute mark earned by Hannah Yanovich following a one-on-one with the Rutgers goalkeeper. Johnson once again assumed the role of inserter sending the ball up top to Zhao Rodrigo for the stop and deflection to the left. After a quick touch from Sofia Pla the ball landed on the stick of Balduzzi for the shot, but a deflection from the Rutgers defense sent it high of the cage.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Curley was the shining star for the Explorers giving up just two goals on 10 shots faced and totaling eight saves. She once again recorded the entire 60 minutes in the cage.
• Espona recorded the only shot on goal for La Salle while McFadden led the overall shot attempt with two. Balduzzi and Tollaksen also recorded a shot each in the game.
• Rutgers held the advantage in shots over La Salle by triple, 16-5. The Scarlet Knights placed 10 on the cage compared to La Salle with one.
• The Explorers totaled just one corner attempt and Rutgers recorded six.

UP NEXT:

• La Salle gets a well-deserved three-day break before returning to the road to take on LIU on Sunday, September 4 at noon. The game will be available to stream on NEC Front Row.