Home›College›Rutgers Women’s Soccer Back In The Win Column After Victory Over Providence

Photo Credit: Michael Franco

Rutgers Women’s Soccer Back In The Win Column After Victory Over Providence

September 8, 2023

After a tough loss to No. 14 Georgetown Monday afternoon, the Scarlet Knights rebounded Thursday night with a much needed 1-0 victory over undefeated Providence.

The Scarlet Knights have struggled this season, sitting at 2-2-2 heading into their matchup against the Friars. A win was a must to get the season back on track and change the trajectory of the season. Rutgers was able to get just that as they gritted out a tough and contested 90 minute match.

It wasn’t until the 80th minute that the Scarlet Knights broke the stalemate. In a chaotic free kick by Kylie Daigle, Daigle’s shot was knocked down by Providence’s goalkeeper, but a charging Allison Lowrey headed the ball into fellow teammates Allison Lynch’s body. The bounce off Lynch’s back was corralled by Giana Romano, who put it into the back of the net.

Providence was the only team left in @ncaasoccer to not concede a goal...until THIS.

Giana Romano with the game-winner and her second collegiate goal.#WeNeverStop🧹#ForeverRutgers pic.twitter.com/fbcqtMK0L6

— RUTGERS WOMEN’S SOCCER (@RUWSoccer) September 8, 2023

The first team to score on Providence all year: @RUWSoccer. 👏 pic.twitter.com/kB8NbFyx4y

— Big Ten Soccer (@B1GSoccer) September 8, 2023

The score by Romano was the first goal let in by Providence all season. Providence was 5-0 heading into the match after defeating Iona (2-0), Quinnipiac (3-0), Rhode Island (1-0), Brown (1-0) and Temple (5-0).

Breaking it down

Rutgers didn’t look like they were going to come out on top throughout the match. The Scarlet Knights were being out dribbled, out hustled and weren’t playing as physical as Providence was. When Rutgers was getting offensive opportunities, it was like they were kicking it away with some of their shot choices and placement. The Scarlet Knights had six shots on goal and 12 total. The Friars on the other hand had three on net and 14 total.

Luckily for Rutgers, Olivia Bodmer looked solid in the net and made saves on all three shots faced. The shutout is the third of the season for Bodmer. Speaking of the redshirt freshman, this match was bigger than the sport for Bodmer, it was about family. On Providence's roster was Bodmer’s older sister Emma. Emma, started on the pitch as Providence’s goaltender before being substituted after 45 minutes of shutout action.

Despite Rutgers' slow start to the match, the Scarlet Knights eventually put one in the back of the net before the Friars and kept Providence off the board for the remaining ten minutes of play. A huge sign of grit and no quit from the Jersey group. Relentless pursuit was definitely shown today on the pitch for Rutgers.