Rutgers University
La Salle
WSOC Advances to NCAA Second Round
Nov 14 | Women's Soccer
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - A shutdown effort from the backline coupled with two strong finishes punched the No. 25/21 Rutgers women's soccer team's ticket to the second round of the NCAA Tournament Friday night at Yurcak Field.
RVision: Players Recap 2-0 Win over La Salle
The Scarlet Knights (13-5-1) defeated La Salle, 2-0, to win their first NCAA Tournament game since Nov. 10, 2012.
"It's so important to host. It's so important to get the community behind the University," said head coach Mike O'Neill. "On a cold night, we were still able to get in 1,000 people, and that's important. Our kids love playing at home in front of their friends, family and University.
"I thought we were very good tonight. One thing we talked about was that we've been good in our possession, but we wanted to get a final product, and we did that tonight. We scored two and had a number of other opportunities, so we're very happy with the way we played."
RU will travel to face No. 2-seeded Virginia (19-2) next Friday, Nov. 21, for the second round of the tournament after the Cavaliers defeated High Point, 8-0, Friday night in their first round contest.
"Virginia is a quality program," O'Neill said. "They are well coached and have quality players, but we look forward to the challenge. We're going to enjoy this tonight, but then we'll regroup tomorrow and get right back at it. We're excited with the opportunity to win, move on and play Virginia."
Rutgers got on the board in the third minute of action courtesy of redshirt junior Amanda DeVolk (Frisco, Texas). DeVolk, who appeared to attempt a cross from 20 yards out along the end line, was able to bend the shot into dangerous territory for La Salle goalkeeper Jessica Wiggins.
Wiggins got a hand on the ball, but the spin carried it over the line for the goal and an early 1-0 RU lead.
Senior Stef Scholz (South Hackensack, N.J.) got in on the action in the 54th minute of play, receiving a nice pass from sophomore Madison Tiernan (Voorhees, N.J.) in the box before tapping it in. The goal was her team-leading seventh on the year.
Defensively, RU posted its 11th clean sheet of the season, tying its total from 2013. The shutout was the 10th for freshman goalkeeper Casey Murphy (Bridgewater, N.J.), who made three saves in the victory.
The kickoff time for RU's match at No. 4/4 Virginia will be announced at a later date.
Game Notes
- The NCAA Tournament win was the first for the Scarlet Knights since defeating Colgate, 1-0, in the first round on Nov. 10, 2012. RU's second round opponent that season was also Virginia.
- The game-winning goal for DeVolk was the first of her career.
- Rutgers has recorded 11 shutouts for the second consecutive season.
- RU improved to 39-2-2, including an 8-0-0 record this season, when leading at halftime since the 2008 season.
- The Scarlet Knights improved to 9-1-0 at Yurcak Field in 2014.
- The squad's 12 shots on goal was the second-highest mark this season. RU had 13 shots on goal against Purdue on Oct. 5.
- Junior midfielder Hayley Katkowski (Westford, Mass.) started her 63rd consecutive game for Rutgers.
- Juniors Erica Skroski (Galloway, N.J.), Maggie Morash (Bernardsville, N.J.) and Brianne Reed (Tinton Falls,
- N.J.) anchored the backline with 90 minutes apiece.
- Rutgers posted double-digit shots in 37 of its last 41 contests, including all 19 matches this season.
