STAFF REPORTS
news@allwnynews.com
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. – In the first of two games against Big Ten competition this season, the Purple Eagles women’s lacrosse team was defeated 18-8 by the Rutgers Scarlet Knights Tuesday night at High Point Solutions Stadium. The Purple Eagles drew within three of Rutgers, trailing 7-4 with 4:55 left in the first period, before Rutgers used a 7-0 run over the next 13 minutes to pull away from Niagara.
Alexandra Higgins turned in a strong performance defensively, leading all players in the game with four ground balls and eight draw controls. Rachel MacCheyne led Niagara with three points in the game with two goals and one assist, and Samantha Brill and Jillian Ford also scored twice.
Rutgers opened the game on a five-goal run, holding the Purple Eagles scoreless through the first 11 minutes of the contest. Samantha Brill broke through the middle of the Rutgers defense and beat goalkeeper Bianca Dente low to get Niagara on the board at the 18:18 mark. Brill’s goal kicked off a 4-2 run that got Niagara to within three with 4:55 left in the first period. Rachel MacCheyne and Jillian Ford scored a pair of free-position goals for the Purple Eagles, and Ford scored her second of the night assisted by MacCheyne to make it a 7-4 game late in the period. The Scarlet Knights broke out going into halftime, scoring three times in the final 1:25 of the first to push their lead to 10-4 after 30 minutes of play.
Niagara turned to Aubrey DeVeau in goal to start the second half. Rutgers extended their run from the close of the first period into the second, coming out of halftime with four straight goals. Alexis Morales ended the run with her 24th goal of the season to make it 14-5 with 21:35 to play. The Scarlet Knights went on a 3-1 run through the next seven minutes, with MacCheyne picking up her second goal and third point of the night. Mackenzie Molodetz found the back of the net with 6:35 to play, fighting through the Rutgers defense after receiving a feed from Caroline Crump. Brill scored her second goal of the game on a late free-position chance with 1:03 to play, the final goal of the night.
The Purple Eagles return to Niagara Field for their first home MAAC game of the season this weekend. Niagara hosts the Fairfield Stags at noon Saturday.
