Top-Ranked Virginia Hosts No. 9 WSOC in NCAA Quarters
Nov 24 | Women's Soccer
Nov. 24, 2015 
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - No. 9 Rutgers women's soccer will compete in its first NCAA Quarterfinal match on Friday, Nov. 27 in Charlottesville, Va., where the Scarlet Knights match wits with top-ranked Virginia. The winner will advance to the 2015 Women's College Cup in Cary, N.C. from Dec. 4-6.
| NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals No. 1 Virginia Cavaliers (19-1-2, 9-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) | |
| Date | Friday, Nov. 27 |
| Time | 2 p.m. EST |
| Location | Charlottesville, Va. | Klöckner Stadium |
| TV (Talent) | N/A |
| Live Stream | Cavaliers Live |
| Live Stats | |
| Statistics | Rutgers | Virginia |
| Game Notes | Rutgers |
| NCAA Bracket | Click Here |
| Tickets | Click Here |
Rutgers Quick Kicks
- RU secured a No. 2 seed for the 2015 NCAA Tournament and has picked up wins against Fairleigh Dickinson (Nov. 13), Hofstra (Nov. 20), and No. 18 UConn (Nov. 22), through the first three rounds of the tournament.
- A win against the Cavaliers would give Rutgers its first over a No. 1-ranked team, and give the Scarlet Knights an even 20 wins for the year.
- Rutgers' student radio, WRSU 88.7 FM, will be on hand to call the action live from Klöckner Stadium.
- With 19 wins, the Scarlet Knights have set the new program record for wins in a season, passing the 2006 squad (16-3-4).
- The Scarlet Knights are ranked by the NSCAA (No. 9), Soccer America (No. 9), and TopDrawerSoccer.com (No. 6) after the 13th weekend of the season. The No. 6 ranking by TDS is the highest in program history.
- RU's defensive numbers remain among the best in the nation. Entering the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament, the Scarlet Knights are first in shutout percentage (.750), first in total shutouts (18), first in goals-against average (0.33), and second in save percentage (.908).
- The Scarlet Knights have allowed just eight goals in 24 matches played, with four coming in two matches.
- Rutgers started the year with eight consecutive clean sheets for the first time in program history, posting a program record scoreless streak of 760:16 minutes.
- Sophomore forward Colby Ciarrocca (Montgomery, N.J.) has scored in six of 10 matches for Rutgers and leads the team in goals (nine). Her four game-winners also lead the team.
- Sophomore goalkeeper Casey Murphy (Bridgewater, N.J.) has 28 shutouts for her career, third on the program's all-time list.
- With 18 shutouts this season, Murphy surpassed Erin Guthrie (2006) for the most in a single season by an RU goalkeeper.
- Senior midfielder Hayley Katkowski (Westford, Mass.) has started 88 consecutive matches and is tied for third on Rutgers' all-time list for starts in a career.
- Senior center back Erica Skroski (Galloway, N.J.) has logged the full time in 22 of 24 matches. She scored the game-winner vs. Minnesota in the Big Ten quarters and made a save before the half to preserve the RU lead.
Scouting Virginia
- Virginia presents the most dynamic offense Rutgers has faced this season. The Cavaliers enter Friday's match ranked No. 1 in the NSCAA Poll and own the best winning percentage (.909) in the country.
- UVA has the second-best scoring offense in the country, averaging 3.32 goals per contest. UVA is also second in total goals (73), assists (64), and points (210), and is fifth in shots on goal per match (9.23).
- The Cavaliers are no slouches on the defensive end, ranking eighth nationally in goals-against average (0.55). Virginia is also eighth in shutout percentage (.636).
- Virginia's only loss this season came on Sept. 24 against Notre Dame in double overtime. The Fighting Irish scored the game-winner in the 104th minute to knock off the Cavaliers.
- Tied for the team lead in goals are senior Makenzy Doniak and junior Alexis Shaffer with 14 apiece. Doniak holds the points lead (39) with a team-high 11 assists, as well.
- Doniak is 10th nationally with an average of 2.05 points per match.
- In net for the Cavaliers is junior Morgan Stearns. She has a 0.52 GAA, .800 save percentage and 13-1-2 record this season.
- The head coach of Virginia is Steve Swanson. He is 254-76-37 in 16 seasons as head coach of the Cavaliers.
All-time Series vs. the Cavaliers
- Rutgers is 3-4 all-time against Virginia. The Cavaliers have had the upper hand in four-straight meetings, including twice in NCAA Tournament action. RU fell to UVA last season on Nov. 21, 2014 in the second round of the tournament, 3-0, in Charlottesville, Va.
Going Dancing
- The Scarlet Knights qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the fourth consecutive season, sixth time in the last eight years, and 10th time overall in 2015. RU won its first round NCAA Tourney game in consecutive seasons for the second time in program history.
- All-time the Scarlet Knights are 10-7-4 in NCAA Tournament action. Rutgers won all three of its home matches this postseason and is 6-0-2 all-time at Yurcak Field in NCAA Tourney contests.
Taking on No. 1
- Rutgers has played the top side in the country twice since 2007. RU was edged, 3-1, at No. 1 Stanford on Sept. 16, 2007, and fell to No. 1 Notre Dame, 3-1, in South Bend, Ind., on Oct. 24, 2008.
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook (Rutgers Athletics ) and Twitter (@RUAthletics ) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding Rutgers women's soccer, follow the program on Facebook (Rutgers Women's Soccer ), Twitter (@RUWSoccer ) and Instagram (@RUWSoccer). Fans can receive timely information, including special offers and giveaways throughout the year on our social media outlets along with www.ScarletKnights.com .
Players Mentioned
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