No.25 Rutgers women’s Lacrosse earned its biggest victory of the season, and one of the biggest ever in program history, when it knocked off No.6 Michigan yesterday in a 13-12 thriller at SHI Stadium. Despite a surge by the Wolverines in the fourth quarter, the Scarlet Knights were able to hold on to secure the win. With the win, all Rutgers needs to do now is beat Oregon on Sunday to secure a spot in the Big Ten tournament. This is the third time the Knights have knocked off a top 6 team in the last
five seasons.
Rutgers started out quick on offense. After surrendering the first goal of the game to Michigan the Knights netted three unanswered to take a 3-1 lead with just under 7 and a half minutes to go in the first quarter. Both teams would net two more to close it out.
The Wolverines would start the second quarter with a run of their own, outscoring Rutgers 4-1 before the Knights closed the half on a 3-0 run to retake the lead.
Michigan tied the score at 9-9 with two consecutive goals after the midpoint, but the Knights continued to fight back, rattling off another three point run to head into the fourth up 12-9.
The Wolverines would score three goals in the fourth to claw back into the game, however a fourth quarter goal by Payton Tini would be the deciding factor in the Knights win.
Rutgers outshot Michigan 36-26 this game. Sophomores Hilary Elsner and Caroline Ling both netted hat tricks in the win while Senior Lily Dixon dished out a team-high four assists, setting the program single-season record with 42 so far this season.
Goalkeeper Simone Koryszewski made several key saves down the stretch, including five in the final 15 minutes, allowing Rutgers to pull off the win.
Up next, Rutgers will host Oregon on Saunday at 1 pm inside SHI stadium. Live coverage for the game will be available on Big Ten Plus.
