WSOC Ends 2015 Program-Best No. 4 in NSCAA Poll
Dec 08 | Women's Soccer
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - The 2015 chapter of Rutgers women's soccer concluded with yet another monumental achievement. The Scarlet Knights (19-4-3) earned the No. 4 position in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Final Postseason Ranking, released Tuesday - the highest ranking in the history of the program.
Final NSCAA Poll
A week prior, RU picked up its highest ranking ever by TopDrawerSoccer.com, which tabbed Rutgers No. 3 in the nation entering the national semifinals.
Rutgers closes the year in the national rankings for the sixth time and second consecutive year under the leadership of two-year head coach Mike O'Neill. RU began the year ranked No. 24 in the NSCAA Preseason Poll and climbed 20 positions before season's end. Rutgers was also ranked every week this season by the NSCAA for the first time ever.
RU reached its first College Cup by boasting the best defense in the country, as the team set program records for total wins (19), shutouts (19), home wins (13), fewest goals allowed (10), and goals-against average (0.37).
RU's GAA, shutout total, and shutout percentage (.731) led the NCAA, while the team's save percentage of .894 was third-best in the nation.
The Scarlet Knights' final two losses of the 2015 season came against national champion, Penn State, in the Big Ten Championship match on Nov. 8 and in the College Cup Semifinals on Dec. 4 in Cary, N.C.
Rutgers punched a ticket to its first College Cup by holding then-No. 1 Virginia scoreless in a 0-0 draw on Nov. 27 in Charlottesville, Va., eventually prevailing by a 7-6 score in nine rounds of penalty kicks.
WSOC In The Rankings - 2015 | |||||
| NSCAA | Soccer America | TopDrawerSoccer.com | NCAA RPI | ||
| Preseason | No. 24 | NR | No. 22 | N/A | |
| Week One | No. 24 | NR | No. 21 | N/A | |
| Week Two | No. 22 | No. 23 | No. 18 | N/A | |
| Week Three | No. 19 | No. 20 | No. 13 | N/A | |
| Week Four | No. 15 | No. 16 | No. 13 | N/A | |
| Week Five | No. 11 | No. 16 | No. 10 | No. 2 | |
| Week Six | No. 25 | No. 25 | No. 17 | No. 9 | |
| Week Seven | No. 23 | No. 22 | No. 14 | No. 6 | |
| Week Eight | No. 25 | No. 19 | No. 14 | No. 12 | |
| Week Nine | No. 12 | No. 12 | No. 14 | No. 5 | |
| Week 10 | No. 9 | No. 10 | No. 11 | No. 4 | |
| Week 11 | No. 7* | No. 9 | No. 11 | No. 3 | |
| Week 12 | No. 9 | - | No. 11 | No. 4 | |
| Week 13 | - | - | No. 11 | - | |
| Week 14 | - | - | No. 11 | - | |
| Week 15 | - | - | No. 6 | - | |
| Week 16 | - | - | No. 3^ | - | |
| Week 17 | No. 4* | - | No. 4 | - | |
*Highest NSCAA ranking in program history
^ denotes highest overall ranking in program history
- denotes no new poll released
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.
