LaPlat Lifts No. 25 Rutgers Women’s Soccer to 1-0 Victory at Indiana
Sophomore forward scores game winner in overtime
BLOOMINGTON, IND. – Sophomore forward Brittany LaPlant came up big for No. 25 Rutgers women’s soccer yet again, scoring the golden goal in overtime of a 1-0 victory against Indiana on Saturday afternoon in Bloomington. It marked the 13th shutout for the Scarlet Knights this season.
“[Scoring the game winner] is something you never get used to,” said LaPlant. “Having the opportunity to play for something so much greater than yourself and getting that result is just amazing.”
Redshirt junior goalkeeper Casey Murphyregistered three saves in net, posting her 13th clean sheet of the year and 42nd of her career. Her 42 career shutouts rank third in Big Ten history and second in Rutgers’ record books.
LaPlant posted her fourth goal of the season, while junior defender Kenie Wright added her fifth assist of the year.
After posting just two shots to Indiana’s (6-8-4, 2-5-3 Big Ten) four in a scoreless first half, Rutgers (11-2-4, 5-2-3 Big Ten) returned from halftime with a resurgence on offense. The Scarlet Knights outshot the Hoosiers, 7-1, in the opening 15 minutes of the second half, including three consecutive shots across the first four minutes.
Overall, RU continued knocking with 11 shots in the second half. In turn, the Scarlet Knight defense held the Hoosiers’ to six shots, which included three saves for Murphy to send the game into overtime.
In the 96th minute of the contest, Wright sent a cross from the left top corner of the box to LaPlant. LaPlant swiftly headed the ball from about five yards out for the win.
“We always stress the importance of box organization and making front post and back post runs,” said LaPlant. “I did my best to make a hard run to back post. Kenie played a beautiful ball and I was able to get my head on it and put it away.”
It marked the second straight game winner for the sophomore, after scoring in the 83rd minute of RU’s 1-0 win over Big Ten leader Ohio State last Sunday.
Up next, Rutgers returns home for its regular season finale with Michigan on Wednesday, Oct. 25. Match time is set for 4 p.m. ET at Yurcak Field and will be televised live on Big Ten Network.
KNIGHT NOTES
- Rutgers improved to 3-0-3 in overtime contests this season.
- Overall, 21 of Rutgers 28 goals have been scored by an underclassman this year. LaPlant is one five underclassmen to have multiple goals on the season.
- Casey Murphy added her 13th shutout of the season. It marked the 42nd shutout of her career, ranking third in Big Ten history and second in Rutgers history.
- Brittany LaPlant added her fourth goal and third game winner of the season.
- Kenie Wright contributed her fifth assist of the season to lead the Rutgers stat sheet.
