UMBC

Freshman forward Rachel McKee

PISCATAWAY, N.J.—Rutgers scored three times in the first 17 minutes and defeated UMBC, 4-0, in the season opener for both teams Tuesday evening at the Scarlet Knights’ Yurcak Field.

The 23rd-ranked Scarlet Knights outshot the Retrievers, 23-3, and held a 7-0 advantage on corner kicks.

Rutgers forward Caycie Gusman scored back-to-back goals early in the first half to secure the victory for the hosts. In the fifth minute, forward Ashley Jones beat two defenders down the left side of the field and passed the ball to Gusman, who placed it in the upper-right corner of the goal. Then at the 14:49 mark, a Retriever defender blocked a shot, and as the ball rolled in front of the net, Gusman knocked it past UMBC sophomore goalie Mo Van Vlerah (Ijamsville, Md./Northwest) for her second goal of the night.

Less than two minutes later, forward Karla Schacher converted a feed from defender Rheanne Sleiman on the right side, heading the ball just below the crossbar for a 3-0 lead, which would stand at halftime.

Nearly 20 minutes into the second period, the Scarlet Knights were awarded a corner kick. Midfielder Gina DeMaio sent a rocket into the box, where Gusman tipped it to midfielder Kelsey Dumont for the score.

Van Vlerah finished with six saves in the game, while Rutgers goalies Erin Guthrie and Emmy Simpkins stopped one shot apiece.

UMBC freshman forward Rachel McKee (Ellicott City, Md./Mount Hebron) took two of the Retrievers’ three shots on the night.

The Retrievers return to action on Sunday, Aug. 30, when they head to Philadelphia to take on La Salle at 1 p.m.