PISCATAWAY, N.J. – A fourth-quarter goal and a smothering defensive effort helped the 13^th-ranked Saint Joseph's field hockey team to a 1-0 win over #11 Rutgers at the Bauer Track and Field Complex on Wednesday afternoon.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
• Neither side was able to find a goal in the opening stanza as the hosts controlled the early possession before the Hawks enjoyed a positive spell of their own.  The Scarlet Knights recorded all five shots of the period, but only put one on goal.
 
• Saint Joseph's (3-1) flipped the script a bit in the second quarter, earning a penalty corner and forcing a save out of RU's Sophia Howard, but the first half ended without a goal on the board.
 
• It was more of the same in the third quarter, but less than a minute unto the fourth, Alison Buffington broke the deadlock with a second effort finish that beat Howard and gave the Hawks the lead.
 
• Rutgers (2-2) pressed for an equalizer, pulling the keeper with three minutes to go, but the Hawks soaked up the pressure and held the Scarlet Knights to just one shot in the final frame to seal the victory.
 
BEHIND THE BOX SCORE
• Marith Bijkerk made three saves for the Hawks to post her first career shutout; Howard made three stops for Rutgers as well.
 
• Both teams recorded nine shots on the day.  The Hawks earned four penalty corners and conceded just two, with both coming in the first quarter.
 
• Erika Culp was credited with an assist on Buffington's goal, the first of her collegiate career.
 
• The Hawks have now won four in a row against the Scarlet Knights dating back to 2019; all four games have seen both teams ranked at the time of the contest.
 
UP NEXT
• The Hawks return home for a pair of local matchups as Villanova and Penn visit Ellen Ryan Field on Friday, September 13, and Sunday, September 15, respectively.