PISCATAWAY, N.J. (Sept. 16, 2011) – Led by the first career goal from sophomore forward Maria Gerew (Toms River, N.J.), the Rutgers women’s soccer team (6-2) upended Villanova (4-3-2) by a score of 2-1 Friday night at Yurcak Field.

 

“This is what our depth will do,” said head coach Glenn Crooks. “We want to be able to wear teams down, keep possession of the ball and be able to score in the flow of the game. Great goal by Maria Gerew and it shows you how dangerous we are on the attack – any one of our forwards can score on any given night.”  

 

The Scarlet Knights took advantage of some early pressure, as sophomore Jonelle Filigno (Mississauga, ON, Canada) gathered a pass from freshman Logan White (Frisco, Texas) in the box. With one stride, the sophomore forward blasted a shot into the top left of the net to give RU a 1-0 advantage.

 

Villanova would not give in, pressuring Rutgers in the 30 minutes before halftime and earning six corners. The Wildcats broke through in the 55^th minute, as Megan Verdeur and Stephanie Myers assisted on a Heidi Sabatura goal. The junior earned the advantage in a 50/50 ball and buried a shot in the upper left of the net.

 

Just three minutes after she was substituted, Gerew notched her first career goal off an Jasmine Edwards (San Diego, Calif.) cross. Edwards played the ball in from the right sideline to Gerew inside the box. The sophomore used one touch to bury the shot in the bottom left of the goal.   

 

In the 61^st minute, junior goalkeeper Emmy Simpkins (Concord, N.C.) made a leaping save on Katie Ryan to preserve the draw. Redshirt junior Stefanee Pace (Kearny, N.J.) nearly scored in the 67^th minute, earning a one-on-one with Villanova keeper Jami Kranich. The midfielder curved the shot just wide.   

 

The Scarlet Knights outshot the Wildcats 13-8 on the night, but VU was able to earn nine corners, while RU took just three.  

 

The Scarlet Knights – who are receiving votes in the latest NSCAA Poll – head to Washington, D.C. Sunday for a matchup against BIG EAST foe Georgetown, who is also receiving votes. Kickoff is set for noon.

 

Game Notes

*The goal by Jonelle Filigno in the fourth minute was the fastest RU has scored since Sept. 13, 2009 when Stefanee Pace notched the lone Scarlet Knight goal at Arizona in the third minute.

*The score by Filigno was her sixth of the season. The forward has totaled 13 points in 2011, besting her mark from last year.

*Maria Gerew recorded the first goal of her career on just her second shot. It was the sophomore’s first points and first game-winner.

*The assist was Jasmine Edwards’ second point of the season and fourth of her career.

*This marked the third-straight game head coach Glenn Crooks has gone with the same starting lineup. RU is 3-0 with these starting 11. 

*The Scarlet Knights own a 24-1 mark since 2008 when leading at halftime, including 5-0 this season.