Aug. 26, 2012
Box Score
Going for their fourth straight regular season win over a Big East opponent, Siena women's soccer held national power Rutgers off the scoreboard for over 80 minutes. But an own goal allowed in the 82nd minute ended any hopes of an upset as the 23rd ranked Scarlet Knights survived the Saints 1-0 Sunday afternoon in Piscataway, N.J.
Rutgers (4-0) controlled possession throughout, out-shooting the Saints (0-2) 26-1 and held a 9-0 edge in corners. Siena's lone shot came on a Brittany Pfaff attempt that was off target in the 20th minute.
But Siena's defense, anchored by an impressive effort from sophomore keeper Taylor Booth, kept the Saints in contention. The Saints blocked a number of Rutgers shots in close and a disciplined team effort turned away numerous other chances.
Booth, a MAAC All-Rookie Team selection a year ago, had arguably her best performance in goal to date. She turned aside six shots and altered a number of other attempts to maintain a clean sheet for most of the game.
But with less than eight minutes remaining in regulation, Rutgers finally caught the break it needed. Gabby Moreno sent a cross into the box that was played by a Siena defender. But in an effort to head the ball out of trouble, it instead found its way into the back of the net for a heartbreaking result.
The defeat marked just the Saints' first in the regular season against a Big East foe in nine years. Siena scored huge wins over Providence in 2009 and both Connecticut and the Friars during the program's MAAC Championship run in 2010.
The Saints return to the Capital Region next weekend for their home opener and the first Siena Athletics home event for the 2012-13 season. Siena hosts Delaware in a 4 p.m. kickoff Sunday at Siena Field.
