COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- The 23rd-ranked Old Dominion field hockey team dropped a neutral-site match to Rutgers, 5-1, on Sunday afternoon at the Maryland Field Hockey Complex in College Park, Maryland.
"It was a poor performance all around from us," said head coach Andrew Griffiths. "As a team, we did not play with conviction and pride in the ODU uniform that we wear."
With the game tied 1-1 at halftime, Rutgers (4-0) scored four second-half goals to pull away from the Monarchs. Sophomore Alexa Ostoich scored the lone goal for ODU.
In the first half, the Scarlet Knights struck first, as Daphne Groothuis scored her first of two goals in the seventh minute to provide the Scarlet Knights with the early advantage.
Old Dominion (1-3) answered in the 32nd minute, as Ostoich, the reigning Big East Offensive Player of the Week, scored her team-leading fourth goal of the season. The sophomore forward knocked in a bouncing ball in front of the goal for the unassisted score. Ostoich has now scored in every game so far this season.
The score held at 1-1 heading into halftime, but Rutgers regained the lead just over a minute into the second half on Groothuis' second goal. The Scarlet Knights then added three more goals to secure the 5-1 victory.
"It was far too individual," said Griffiths of ODU's performance. "That change must happen going forward from every player who has the privilege to step on the field to represent ODU."
Overall, shots were even at 12-12, while Rutgers held a slight 7-6 advantage in penalty corner.
ODU goalkeeper Kealsie Robles made five saves in the loss. Robles has made five or more saves in three of the four games so far this season.
Next up, ODU returns to L.R. Hill to face Michigan State on Friday at 5 p.m.
FOLLOW ODU FIELD HOCKEY ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Follow @ODUFieldHockey on Twitter and like ODU Field Hockey on Facebook for the latest updates.