Rutgers routs Villanova, 17-4, for best start in program history
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (BVM) 鈥� The goals, and dominating performance, kept coming for Rutgers women鈥檚 lacrosse in a 17-4 rout of Villanova on Saturday.
The Scarlet Knights have barreled through their competition while securing the best start in program history at 6-0.聽
With a well-attended game between two opponents separated by only about 75–miles, the stage was set for a fierce weekend competition. Yet, when a sunny sky gave way to clouds looming over SHI Stadium, any chance of a Villanova upset disappeared as well.
From the first draw, the Scarlet Knights were in control. Less than a minute into the first quarter, junior attacker Jenna Byrne put the ball in the back of the net, setting an early tone.
Despite Rutgers coming out of the gates hot, Villanova鈥檚 presence was felt, too. The crowd was loud with cheers for the Wildcats, and three minutes after the game鈥檚 first goal, freshman Sami Carey answered Byrne with a goal of her own.
Nearly a minute and a half later, junior midfielder Ashley Campo put Rutgers back in front, quickly becoming the theme of the afternoon. The Scarlet Knights responded with a goal within three minutes of each Villanova score.
The Scarlet Knights spread the wealth, with 10 different players scoring goals. Three players – senior captain and attacker Marin Hartshorn, junior captain and midfielder Cassidy Spilis, and sophomore attacker Kate Carolonza – all secured hat tricks, which alone would have given Rutgers the win.
Spilis also wrote her name into program history. With 7:29 left in the third quarter, she netted her 100th career point, becoming the 27th player in program history to reach the milestone.
The standout junior is already having a successful season. At its start, she was named to both the Big Ten Players to Watch list and the Tewaaraton Award (National Player of the Year) watch list. After leading the team in goals last season, she sits at 22 goals on 35 shots through six games.
The Rutgers offense, which has scored at least 16 goals in each game, wasn鈥檛 the only side of the ball clicking on all cylinders. The four goals allowed was the defense鈥檚 lowest mark this season. Sophomore goalie Sophia Cardello was outstanding when Villanova took advantage of its limited scoring opportunities, with the Wildcats (1-5) managing only 11 shots.
Junior defender Meghan Ball had a game-high five ground balls, three draw controls, and caused four turnovers.
“Our defense gave us so many opportunities and possession against a team who is good on the draw,” 鈥淲e scored a lot of great goals, were patient and got a lot of people involved. It was a complete team effort today.”
With last year鈥檚 top-five scorers returning this season, Rutgers is already within one win of last year鈥檚 7-9 record. However, after being voted to finish last in the Big Ten last season, the Knights know that despite their previous success, nothing is handed to them.
鈥淵ou have to recognize that you have to earn everything you get,鈥� Lehman added. 鈥�Nothing is given and you can鈥檛 take any rankings for granted. We have to be ready to put our best product on the field every game. We can鈥檛 take any team lightly or any game for granted, and that鈥檚 how we approach every opponent we face.鈥�
With a mindset like that, the Scarlet Knights feel they are prepared to face any challenge that comes their way this season. With conference play nearing, an all-around performance like Saturday鈥檚 will keep their confidence growing.
