PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Despite a solid effort from the newcomers, the Towson University field hockey team fell to Rutgers University, 9-0 in the season opener on Saturday afternoon. Freshman Molly Santi made four saves in the second half while the newcomers accounted for four shots for the Tigers.

THE BASICS
Rutgers 9, Towson 0
Bauer Track & Field Complex, Piscataway, N.J.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Rutgers (2-0) struck first as Daphne Groothuis scored off a penalty corner at 8:05 as Alanna Gollotto and Linde van Schaik picked up the assists.
• The two teams battled back and forth over the next several minutes as Paige Zaleppa forced Rutgers keeper Gianna Glatz to knock the ball out of the air and away from the net on her shot.
• The Scarlet Knights struck three more times in the first half as Groothuis scored her second goal of the game. Rutgers held a 4-0 lead at the half.
• Emilee Woodall made five big first half saves as the Scarlet Knights put a strong offensive effort together.
• The Tigers (0-1) pushed the tempo early in the second half and picked up a pair of early penalty corners.
• Groothius scored her third of the day in the second half while van Schaik, Gracey Butsack and Gianna Mancini each tallied their second of the day.
• Santi made her collegiate debut with four second half saves. 

 
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• Towson saw 11 newcomers make their debut for the Black and Gold. The Tiger newcomers accounted for four of the five shots in the game. Freshman Beira Ho led the offensive attack with two shots.
• Freshmen Kendra Sykes, Ho, Peppe Haantjes, Valerie Hajek and Daniella DeSouza all earned the start in their first collegiate game.
• Woodall and Santi combined for nine saves in the contest for the Tigers. Rutgers was forced to make just four saves in the game.

The Tigers faced a quick turnaround as they return home to host Longwood on Sunday, Aug. 27 at 5 p.m. in their home debut.