NASHVILLE, Tenn.- Penn State women's lacrosse takes down No. 17 Rutgers 9-7 to earn its first Big Ten win of the season and first win over a ranked opponent. The Nittany Lions move to 5-2, 1-0 Big Ten while the Scarlet Knights fall to 3-3, 0-1 Big Ten.
Kristin O'Neill could not be stopped on offense with five goals to lead all scores and propel Penn State to a victory. Kayla Abernathy, Ellie Hollin, Kara Nealon and Regan Nealon contributed one goal apiece to the team's total.
Ashley Bowan matched her season high nine saves including four off a free position shots.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter
Rutgers began the scoring just over two minutes into the game with a goal from Ava Kane. Brooke Barger picked up a ground ball off a shot from Gretchen Gilmore that hit the post to swing it back to Gilmore who passed it to O'Neill. O'Neil found the back of the net to tie it at 1-1.
The Scarlet Knights were the next to add a goal with 5:39 remaining to mark the last goal of the quarter.
Second Quarter
Rutgers again opened the scoring in the second quarter four minutes in, to make the score 3-1. The Scarlet Knights were in a man-down situation due to a red card accessed to their Megan Ball.
O'Neill scored the second goal for the Nittany Lions and her second of the game off a free position shot in a man up situation. Penn State pulled within one at 3-2 with 10:28 to play in the half.
The junior captain, O'Neill tied the score at 3-3 with 8:22 on the clock. Her goal sealed a hat trick in less than two quarters of play.
Senior Kara Nealon grabbed Penn State's first lead of the game with just over three minutes remaining in the half. Ashley Bowan made a huge save between the pipes for Penn State on a free position shot to keep the 4-3 lead with the Nittany Lions after two quarters.
Penn State out shot Rutgers 15-7 in the first half and caused seven turnovers.
Third Quarter
O'Neill found the back of the net once again to put the Nittany Lions up by two at 5-3 in the early minutes of the second half. A pass from Gilmore to O'Neill earned the Nittany Lions a two-goal advantage.
Ashley Campo ended the Scarlet Knights nearly 18-minute scoring drought with a free position goal to bring the score to 5-4.
A 3-0 scoring run gave the Nittany Lions an 8-4 advantage in less than a minute and a half. Ellie Hollin sparked the stretch with her first goal of the season. O'Neill contributed to the action with her fifth of the day on a free position shot. Regan Nealon added one to give Penn State eight goals and four goal edge with 3:15 remaining in the third quarter.
Fourth Quarter
Kayla Abernathy continued the Penn State hot streak with its fourth unanswered goal to make the score 9-5 with 12:50 remaining in the game. This marked the biggest margin of the game.
Rutgers managed to add three more goals before the final whistle resulting in a 9-7 Penn State win.
OF NOTE
- O'Neill notched her fifth hat trick of the season and continued her scoring streak to 11 games.
- Bowan made four saves off free position shots and nine total saves.
- Gilmore posted a career high three assists.
- Penn State caused 16 Rutgers turnovers.
- Ellie Hollin scored her first goal of the season and added four ground ball pick-ups and a career high four caused turnovers.
- The Nittany Lions outshot the Scarlet Knights 29-20.
UP NEXT
The Nittany Lions return to Happy Valley to host Towson on Tuesday, March 14. First draw at Panzer Stadium is set for 3 p.m.