Rutgers women’s soccer opens their season with win over Holy Cross
On Thursday night, months of anticipation came to an end as Rutgers women’s soccer began their season. The wait proved to be worth it as the Scarlet Knights took care of business against Holy Cross. In a low-scoring game, Rutgers struck first.
Just six minutes after the opening whistle was blown, Riley Tiernan started the scoring. It was Tiernan’s only shot of the night, but it gave Rutgers a 1-0 lead. Eight minutes later, Allison Lowrey provided some insurance with her first goal of the season after drawing a penalty in the box. It marked the second consecutive season Lowrey scored in the opener.
While Lowrey and Tiernan provided the offense, Rutgers got stellar play from Olivia Bodmer. In her college debut, the Monroe native recorded her first career shutout. Holy Cross only landed two shots on net, but Bodmer stopped both of them.
Although Rutgers was happy to come away with a win, there are still areas of their game they need to improve on.
First start in net. First shutout.
Olivia Bodmer breaks down her collegiate debut with the @bigtenplus crew.#WeNeverStop🧹#ForeverRutgers pic.twitter.com/PdIELoXe0b
— RUTGERS WOMEN’S SOCCER (@RUWSoccer) August 18, 2023
“It’s always difficult attacking a team that sits in,” head coach Mike O’Neil told Rutgers athletics. “There’s not a lot of space to play, so sometimes you force it and it takes away confidence. We need to stick to the way we play, and I felt at times, we did that and created chances. Now we just need to get a little better at the execution.”
With a win on Thursday night, Rutgers has now won eight consecutive season openers. They return to action on Sunday against Hofstra at 7 p.m.
