Two of the most consistent programs in women’s college soccer met on Thursday night as Rutgers visited N.C. State. The Scarlet Knights have been to 11 consecutive NCAA Tournaments while the Wolfpack have been to six straight. Their matchup in Raleigh ended in a 1-1 draw. Both programs are receiving votes in the coaches poll as RU is 1-1-1 to start the season. N.C. State is now 1-0-2.
Rutgers scored in the sixth minute of the match as Allison Lowrey buried a one-timer off an entry pass into the box from Sara Brocious. The play was started by Allison Lynch, who fed Brocious and took it down the right sideline before finding an open Lowrey. It was the 17th goal of her career and second this season. The 17th assist in Brocious’ career tied her for 10th all-time in program history with the great Carli Lloyd and Taylor Aylmer.
The Scarlet Knights led 1-0 all the way up until the 88th minute when Annika Wohner tied it with an assist from Mackenzie Smith. Despite the second straight game that Rutgers surrendered a late goal, they came painfully close from still earning a victory. Emily Mason’s header off of a set piece in the 89th minute was just wide of the net by about a foot.
RU held a 13-11 shot advantage in the game and 4-3 in shots on goal. However, Rutgers never produced a corner kick as N.C. State had four attempts. Goalkeeper Olivia Bodmer had two saves in the draw.
Last season’s points leader, Sam Kroeger, has yet to see any game action as she continues to work her way back from an offseason injury.
Current member of the United States Women’s National Team and Rutgers great Casey Murphy was in attendance as she lives nearby playing professionally for the North Carolina Courage in the NWSL.
While a victory would have been a major confidence builder and quality win, Rutgers played well against one of the top teams in the ACC. They now return home to play FDU on Monday, August 28 at 5 pm. The 2022 NEC Tournament champions are off to an 0-3 start. The game is part of a doubleheader at Yurcak Field with the men’s team hosting St. John’s at 7:30 p.m.
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Henry Rutgers
August 25, 2023 at 7:38 am
I watched the women’s game while recording the men’s game.
Just a couple of quick observations. The best player on the field was the NC State freshman Canadian midfielder. Once she entered the game she owned the midfield. The RU midfield ceded the midfield and once again dropped back to, what appeared to be seven or eight players holding at the 18 while allowing NC State compete control of the midfield. I don’t think this is coaching. I could hear the coaches yelling from the sideline to attack the ball.
Tiernan’s talent is wasted at RU. She delivered at least eight perfect crosses and no one crashed on the back post to covert. She did the same against Hofstra.
Before I make this last statement, I want to say Brocious is a hardworking midfielder often playing the entire game. I’ve said before and I’ll repeat we need to rest her for at least ten minutes each half. Daigle can play the middle and is fearless. Having said that, I’d have thought that we learned that Sarah is not the right player to cover the post on a corner kick. The post players need to be your toughest players, willing to take a blasted ball in the face if necessary. Sarah flinched against FSU in the NCAA two years ago cost RU the game. In the slow motion, frame by frame replay against NC State she starts out in the right position but fails to square her body to the field of play once the ball is centered and once again flinches away from the ball as it rockets in her direction. Had she done her job i.e. placed her heal against the post, pivoted to the ball as it was centered instead of clinging, almost hiding behind the post, she’d have taken the ball in the gut and cleared it off the line.
While the game was a tie, giving up a goal on a set play with two minutes left in the game is an indication that we are not conditioned to play 90 minutes, not substituting to rest our starters adequately and not practicing defending set pieces for opponents. There are dozens of videos of NC States set piece and corner kicks available on social media. Set pieces is what they are known for. NC State was good, but RU squandered a win.
pj43
August 26, 2023 at 1:02 pm
I enjoy your take on soccer games and look forward to reading them as the season unfolds for both men & women. Just from a less experienced soccer eye, is it me or is there a lack of a something/something with the women’s team? I thought last year was perhaps an anomaly but this year seems to be starting out the same way. Is it a case of underachievement, given the talent, or is this more a case of perhaps being overrated? I don’t say that with a wise guy attitude. I just don’t understand what’s happening.
Aaron Breitman
August 26, 2023 at 4:01 pm
A bit of an overreaction in my opinion. They surrendered a late goal to an NCAA tournament team and then got a draw on the road against a very good NC State team that typically advances in the NCAAs every season. Their points leader from last season hasn’t played yet and Emily Mason is still working herself back into form. They have a rookie goalie and learning how to play with a star transfer. Give this team time to gel.
Last season losing Mason really sunk the end in my opinion and the team in general was beat up. This program is the most consistently successful at Rutgers. Yes they can be better but the book on this season is yet to be written.
Henry Rutgers
August 26, 2023 at 6:53 pm
I hope you are right, Aaron. In circumstances like these I love to be wrong. We are 1-1-1 when we should be 3-0. Kroeger is back Monday. Whether she plays or not, whether we win or not we’ll still be cheering for the team, still pushing the AD to give them more and still supporting them financially. My analysis, although overly technical at times, is meant to be a warning bell, not a death knell. We must do better to be the final four team we are capable of being.
pj43
August 27, 2023 at 3:11 pm
Your take is reasonable so I’ll take my cue and let things unfold over the course of the season.. Thanks to both of you