PISCATAWAY, NJ – The Rutgers field hockey team (3-16, 0-5 BIG EAST) concluded its 2002 season this evening in the pouring rain, falling to Hofstra (10-9), 2-1, at the Rutgers Stadium Complex.

In a pre-game ceremony, the Scarlet Knights honored head coach Ann Petracco as she took the field for the final time as head coach. Petracco announced her intention to retire at the end of the season Oct. 4 and finished her 26-year stand at RU with a record of 248-229-40.

Hofstra opened up the scoring quickly as Tricia-Ann Greaves scored off the opening push-off 16 seconds into the match. The Pride moved ahead 2-0 on a penalty corner goal by Leslie King, assisted by Greaves and Kerri Jantzen.

The Scarlet Knights scored the final goal of the evening with 15 minutes remaining in the first half. Junior forward Leann Grondski (Mercerville, NJ) scored on a penalty stroke after the ball was trapped by the goalkeeper following a penalty corner shot by the Scarlet Knights.

In the second half, the game was dominated by the Scarlet Knight offense, which outshot the Pride 12-6 in the second period, but was unable to capitalize. Junior goalkeeper Stacey Gaenzle (Lancaster, PA) made seven saves in goal this evening, while sophomore back Tiffany Klebez (Milford, PA) made her ninth defensive save of the season. In goal for Hofstra, Christine Hickey made eight saves.

The Scarlet Knights conclude the 2002 season with a record of 3-16 overall and a 0-5 mark in BIG EAST play.

Hofstra (10-9) vs. Rutgers (3-16)
Date: Nov 05, 2002
Attendance: 61
Weather: Heavy rain, 38 degrees

Goals by period 1 2 Tot
Hofstra 2 0 2
Rutgers 1 0 1

0:16 HU GREAVES, Tricia-Ann (unassisted) 0-1
9:32 HU KING, Leslie (GREAVES, Tricia-Ann; JANTZEN, Kerri) 0-2
20:21 RU GRONDSKI, Leann (Penalty stroke) 1-2

Shots: Hofstra 12, Rutgers 16
Saves: Hofstra 8 (HICKEY, Christine 8), Rutgers 7 (GAENZLE, Stacey 7)