NEWARK, N.J. (September 8, 2018) – The Rutgers University-Newark women's soccer team edged visiting Frostburg State University on Frederick Douglass Field this afternoon, 1-0. In an incredibly even match, it was rookie Maria Miranda who made the difference in the 53rd minute, helping the Scarlet Raiders improve to 2-1-1. The Bobcats move to 1-1 on the season.

The defining moment came after a Frostburg foul in its own half. Rutgers-Newark junior Juliana Ceballos stepped over the ball on the right wing, a few yards outside the 18, and hooked an outswinging cross towards the six-yard box. Sophomore Melanie Egas was first to the ball as she got a crucial touch on it before the pass fell to the feet of Miranda. Miranda made no mistake, poking her right-footed shot past the keeper for her first collegiate score and the eventual game-winner.

"This was a hard-fought win on our home field against a really good, athletic Frostburg State team." said Head Coach Ariana Ruela, "I'm proud of how our women battled to the final whistle and came up with a big victory against a very tough side." 

For the match, the Bobcats outshot the Raiders 17-12 while the home team held a 7-4 advantage in corners. R-N sophomore goalie Jasmin Erichsen had a huge game in net, making 12 stops to earn the victory and clean sheet. Frostburg's senior netminder Rhianna Lapen took a tough-luck defeat, making several big plays on crosses and corners despite not recording a save.

The Scarlet Raiders return to action on Wednesday when they hit the road to face the College of Mount Saint Vincent at 5 p.m.

In the first half, the two sides played to a 0-0 draw with Rutgers-Newark holding a slight edge in corners (3-2) and Frostburg State gaining a small advantage in shots (5-4). Both teams held possession for a relatively even length of time but neither truly threatened to score.

The second stanza was a different story as both teams created numerous dangerous opportunities. Following the Raider goal in the 53rd, the visitors began to apply serious pressure in their attacking third.
Bobcats sophomore Emily Lehman had her shot just inside the box blocked but immediately recovered possession and forced a save out of Erichsen on her second attempt in the 70th.

R-N nearly added to its lead in the 72nd when a corner by junior Deirdre Mackin found the head of senior Ine Collins, but her effort went just wide.

In the 76th, Frostburg State had another flurry of attempts as junior Brooke Shehade had her shot blocked but senior Danielle Ferris and freshman Audra Curtin both forced saves out of Erichsen in quick succession.

Then, it was Shehade's turn to test the keeper as her curling, left-footed effort was bound for the upper-left corner of the net before Erichsen tipped it away at the last second.

The final five minutes saw the Bobcats desperately attempt to find an equalizer. First it was Curtin in the 86th who fired a shot through a host of defenders but Erichsen saw the effort and was able to parry it away.

Finally, in the 90th minute, a shot by rookie Mackenzie Folch forced Erichsen to concede a corner. However, the last chance for the visitors hit the side netting to secure a hard fought win for the home side.