PISCATAWAY, N.J. (Sept. 30, 2011) – Despite an offensive onslaught in the second half, Rutgers women’s soccer (6-5-1, 1-3-1) fell to St. John’s (7-4-1, 3-2-0) by a score of 1-0 Friday night at Yurcak Field. The Scarlet Knights notched a season-high 23

“The way we came out in the second half was the way we needed to come out in the first half,” said head coach Glenn Crooks. “We have to play with a sense of urgency now. There is so little margin of error for our BIG EAST and NCAA hopes that there can’t be a moment where we don’t play with a sense of urgency. Frustration will not be the word used. The words will be developing, learning from our mistakes and making it better the next game.”

The Red Storm got on the board in the fourth minute, as Jen Leaverton corralled a ball inside the box and took on junior goalkeeper Emmy Simpkins (Concord, N.C.), who came out to challenge the senior forward. Leaverton was able to beat Simpkins on the dribble, pushing the ball into the bottom right of the net.  

Sophomore forward Maria Gerew (Toms River, N.J.) nearly answered six minutes later, blasting a shot on net from six yards out, but sophomore goalkeeper Lauren Ferris was in the right place to make the save.

Early in the second half, Rutgers had two breakaway opportunities called back as the Scarlet Knights were offsides. In the 53^rd minute, Maura McLaughlin (West Windsor, N.J.) was inside the box with a clear shot on net and a minute later, Cassie Inacio (Manalapan, N.J.) had an open lane to the goal after seeming to beat the STJ back line.

With 3:31 left to play, freshman Stefanie Scholz (South Hackensack, N.J.) got behind the back line and was able to flick a shot on net. Ferris leaped and was able to just get a finger on the ball, pushing it high.

For the game, the Scarlet Knights outshot the Red Storm by a 23-4 margin, including 14-1 in the second half. Rutgers managed seven shots on frame, while St. John’s only managed two. RU also held the advantage in corner kicks, taking seven to STJ’s two.

Rutgers continues its homestand Sunday, Oct. 2 at 1 p.m. against Syracuse. The Orange defeated Seton Hall 4-1 Friday.

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