In what is becoming a concerning trend for Rutgers women’s soccer, the Scarlet Knights played to their third straight draw and second straight scoreless draw against the UConn Huskies. The Knights were unable to exact revenge on the Huskies for knocking them out of the NCAA Tournament in 2024, and now have just one goal in their past three games. Rutgers was forced to settle for its third draw, with its overall record now sitting at 2-0-3.
The game started slowly, with Rutgers attempting just one
shot on goal, while UConn attempted two, both of which were saved by Olivia Bodmer. In the second half, both teams were able to create more chances, but all were saved by Bodmer and UConn’s goalkeepers, Ava Yamas and Elizabeth DiBlasi.
The Scarlet Knights were close to their first goal in the 65th minute, with forward Kennedi Cotter’s free kick saved by Yamas. Rutgers had a great chance in the 70th minute, with Adela Vasakova open on a breakaway, but she was taken out by Yamas just outside the penalty box. After the referee originally showed a red card, it was overturned to a yellow card, and the free kick attempt from the Scarlet Knights missed the goal. Yamas picked up an injury on the sequence and was replaced by DiBlasi in the net.
Ashley Baran had two late chances, with a shot curling around DiBiasi and hitting the post in the 81st minute. Baran had another chance on a breakaway attempt set up by Nata Ramirez in the 87th minute, as she attempted to dribble around DiBlasi and score on the open goal, but DiBlasi came off her line and dove to make the save.
The Scarlet Knights outshot the Huskies 14-8, with four shots on goal to UConn’s three, but were unable to convert on any of them. Olivia Bodmer posted her 19th career shutout and third of the season in the four games she has played, while Rutgers started three freshmen in Lindsey Hailey, Julia Joseph, and Kennedi Cotter against the Huskies.
Rutgers women’s soccer will conclude its nonconference slate on the road at Providence this Saturday at 6:30 PM, before opening Big Ten play by hosting Michigan State on Friday, September 12th at 4 PM.
