Rutgers Women's Lacrosse Triumphs Over Villanova with Commanding Performance
In a thrilling showdown at Villanova Stadium, Rutgers women's lacrosse continued their winning streak, securing a 15-12 victory over Villanova. This marks their third consecutive win, pushing their season record to an impressive 3-1.
With the clock winding down and Rutgers clinging to a two-goal lead, senior Katie Buck made a pivotal play by winning her 10th draw control of the game. This crucial moment allowed the Scarlet Knights to maintain possession, and classmate Lily Dixon sealed the deal with an open-net goal in the final seconds.
Sophomore sensation Caroline Ling was on fire, delivering a career-high seven points through five goals and two assists. Hilary Elsner, playing near her hometown of Newtown, matched her personal best with four goals. Freshman standout Kate Theofield added her second hat trick in just three games, showcasing the depth of Rutgers' offensive arsenal.
Dixon, a key playmaker, contributed four points with two goals and two assists, bringing her career total to 88 assists. She’s now just five assists shy of breaking the program's all-time record, held by Marin Hartshorn.
Defensively, Rutgers was relentless, forcing Villanova into 20 turnovers. Dixon and sophomore Bianca Chiarella led the charge with two caused turnovers each.
Buck dominated the draw controls, securing 10 and picking up four ground balls to give Rutgers a 17-12 edge in 50-50 battles. Sophomore Charlee Thomas and freshman Annalise Messina also made significant contributions in the draw circle.
The Scarlet Knights came out swinging, outscoring Villanova 5-1 in the first quarter. Ling opened the scoring with a setup from junior Gianna Macrino, followed by two quick goals from Elsner. Theofield closed out the quarter with back-to-back goals, including a setup from redshirt sophomore Samantha Swanovich.
Rutgers continued their offensive onslaught in the second quarter. Elsner secured her hat trick early, followed by a goal from Dixon, putting Rutgers up 7-1. Although Villanova fought back with three goals, Rutgers responded with a 3-0 run, including Elsner's fourth goal of the day.
Heading into halftime, Rutgers held a commanding 10-4 lead, having outshot Villanova 19-8 and forced 12 turnovers.
Villanova showed resilience after the break, narrowing the gap with three quick goals. However, Ling's third goal, assisted by Dixon, halted their momentum. Theofield's third goal of the match ensured Rutgers maintained a 12-9 advantage entering the final quarter.
The Wildcats made a late push, but Ling’s fifth goal extended Rutgers' lead to 14-9. Despite Villanova's efforts to close the gap, Buck's crucial draw control in the final minutes secured the Scarlet Knights' victory.
Looking Ahead
Rutgers is set to face a formidable opponent in No. 9 Princeton on February 25 at Sherrerd Field.
The match promises to be a test of skill and strategy, with the first draw scheduled for 7 p.m. Fans can catch all the action live on ESPN+.