A long 11 days after NC State women’s soccer’s last match — an explosive 3-1 win over UNC-Charlotte — the Wolfpack resumed its 2024 campaign in a bout with Rutgers in Piscataway, New Jersey, where the Scarlet Knights handed the red-and-white a 2-0 loss. 

Coming off a pair of impressive, back-to-back wins where NC State (2-3-1) outscored its opponents 8-1, a week-and-a-half-long break might have snapped the Pack out of its hot streak. The Scarlet Knights (4-1-1) had their way with the Wolfpack in the Garden State. Rutgers outshot their visitors 16-6 and registered one goal in each half to hand the Wolfpack its third loss of the season. 

The Knights got off to a sizzling start in Piscataway, scoring exactly one minute into the game that put NC State in an early hole. An expertly placed through ball found midfielder Allie Post past the Wolfpack’s back line and en route to the goal. Post rocketed a shot in between the near woodwork and junior goalkeeper Olivia Pratapas to draw first blood. 

Down 1-0, just one minute in, NC State only mustered two shots for the rest of the first half. Senior defender Brianna Weber’s header after an NC State corner kick was a quality opportunity for the Pack, but Rutgers’ keeper, Olivia Bodmer, denied the attempt. 

Meanwhile, Rutgers continued its assault throughout the first period, racking up nine shots.  However, Pratapas’ five first-half saves warded the Scarlet Knights off the board for the final 44 minutes of the first period. 

NC State picked up the pace offensively after the break, but still couldn’t muster enough firepower to break through the Knights’ armor. Four shots in the half, which were highlighted by shots on target from sophomore defender Yuna Aoki and graduate midfielder Abi Hugh, forced two saves from Bodmer. 

Meanwhile, Rutgers doubled its lead as Post recorded her second goal of the day. Post’s first goal was assisted by the Scarlet Knights’ Riley Tiernan, who bagged her second assist of the day on Post’s brace-earning score in the 67th minute of the match. 

With Rutgers up 2-0 and NC State unable to seriously threaten on offense, the Knights rode out the final 20 minutes of the match with ease, earning their fourth win of the 2024 season. 

After the two teams’ physical match in Piscataway — one headlined by 19 total fouls, 11 of which were committed by NC State — the Wolfpack will return to Raleigh in hopes of getting back in the win column in front of its home crowd at Dail Soccer Stadium. 

After losing its duel with the Knights, the Pack will square off with William & Mary on Thursday at 6 p.m. in Raleigh.