Strong 2nd Half Propels Rutgers by Fairfield in 2OT

Fairfield, Conn. (March 24, 2012) – Sophomore midfielder Lauren Sbrilli (Martinsville, N.J.) notched her second game-winner of the season, as Rutgers used a strong second-half comeback to edge Fairfield, 11-10, in double overtime Saturday afternoon at Alumni Field.

Sbrilli scored three goals in the contest, including the game-winner 44 seconds into the second OT period. Junior midfielder Stephanie Anderson (Wading River, N.Y.) continued her stellar play as of late with her second-straight four-score contest.

Senior attack Danielle Mascera (Verona, N.J.) dished out three assists – her fourth-straight multi-helper effort – while in the cage junior Lily Kalata (Nesconset, N.Y.) made five timely saves for the win.

The Scarlet Knights (5-3) overcame a four-goal halftime deficit to force overtime. RU rises to 2-0 this season with extra time and has won four-straight contests and five of the last six.

The Stags (5-3) got on the board first before the Scarlet Knights evened the score at the 20:58 mark, as Anderson buried a free position shot. Fairfield answered with three-straight goals over a two-minute span to take a 4-1 advantage.

Anderson stopped the spurt, grabbing a pass from Mascera to bring RU within two. After the two squads traded goals – including a free position score by Ali Steinberg (Suffern, N.Y.) – Fairfield posted two-straight to end the half and take a 7-3 lead into the break.

A barrage of goals from the Scarlet Knights in the second stanza gave RU a 9-8 lead with 7:28 to play. Annie McGinley (Moorestown, N.J.) and Sbrill each scored two goals during the 5-1 run. Steinberg opened the scoring with an unassisted goal just four minutes into the half. A Mascera-to-Sbrilli connection knotted the score at eight with just over 11 minutes to play before McGinley boosted the Scarlet Knights to a 9-8 advantage on a solo score.

Fairfield would not give up, as Kate McKinley evened the score at the 2:42 mark to send the two teams into overtime.

Off a dish from Mascera, Anderson gave the Scarlet Knights the lead in the first overtime, but the Stags responded with a score at the 1:06 mark.

Rutgers returns home to open Big East play against Notre Dame on Friday, March 30. Game time is set for 4:00 p.m. at Yurcak Field.

2012-03-24