Spring WSOC Schedule Announced
Feb 26 | Women's Soccer
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - The Rutgers women's soccer team has finalized its 2015 spring schedule, announcing a six-match slate that begins with the first-annual Alumnae Knight event on March 7.
The Scarlet Knights will make a concerted effort to extend outward to local communities this spring, playing three matches away from campus to reciprocate continued fan support.
"We want to reach out to the community and support the fans that have been supporting us all year long," said head coach Mike O'Neill. "For us to do things in the community and get their support is very important to the program."
The program will welcome back former players on March 7 for a 4 p.m. matchup against current Scarlet Knights in the Bubble as part of Alumnae Knight festivities. Details on the full day of Alumnae Knight events can be found here.
"We need our alumnae involved in the program to be successful," O'Neill said. "Their support is very important to us. With now being a part of the Big Ten, it's important to bring them back on campus and make them understand that this is their program. To get that support is very important to the current players, staff, and University."
The Scarlet Knights' first intercollegiate spring scrimmage will pit a rematch of last season's NCAA Tournament first round contest between Rutgers and La Salle. The match will be played at 6 p.m. on March 27 in Jackson, N.J. at the Jackson Justice Complex.
Following the meeting with the Explorers, RU will take to the professional ranks in a scrimmage against Sky Blue FC. The match is set for 7 p.m. on March 29, with the location to be determined.
"Sky Blue brings another level of ability for us to strive to get our game to," O'Neill added. "It's pretty exciting playing a pro team. The players will be up for the challenge."
The spring schedule closes with three matches against regional opponents, beginning with Villanova on April 17 at 7 p.m. in Westhampton, N.J. The match will be played at PDA South Sports Complex.
The Scarlet Knights and Wildcats have met on the pitch 32 times dating back to RU's first season of women's soccer in 1984, and were formerly league rivals as members of the BIG EAST.
Rutgers will travel to in-state rival Monmouth on April 19 for a match that is set to begin at 7 p.m. The two teams last met in regular season action on Aug. 17, 2012, with Rutgers winning by a 3-0 final. All-time, RU is 14-2-1 against the Hawks.
"Playing against Monmouth is always a great game because it's a local game. We have a lot of respect for their coaching staff and their program" O'Neill said.
Seton Hall will pay a visit to Piscataway for the final match of the spring on April 24 at 7 p.m. The Pirates and Scarlet Knights have plenty of history as former conference rivals, and have met 19 times in regular season action.
"This spring for us is a time of raising the bar individually and as a team," O'Neill said. "Our spring is very important to us. It's all about player and team development."
Rutgers achieved its third consecutive 13-win season in 2014, defeating La Salle, 2-0, at Yurcak Field in the first round of NCAAs (Nov. 14) to advance to the second round for the second time in three seasons.
Rutgers climbed as high as No. 14 in the NSCAA rankings, earning the highest overall tab in program history by Soccer America at No. 7 following a 1-0 upset at then-No. 6/7 Penn State on Oct. 11. RU closed the year ranked No. 25 by the NSCAA.
Rutgers Women's Soccer 2015 Spring Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time |
| March 7 | Alumnae Game | The Bubble | 4 p.m. |
| March 27 | La Salle | Jackson, N.J. | 6 p.m. |
| March 29 | Sky Blue FC | TBD | 7 p.m. |
| April 17 | Villanova | Westhampton, N.J. | 7 p.m. |
| April 19 | Monmouth | West Long Branch, N.J. | 7 p.m. |
| April 24 | Seton Hall | Yurcak Field | 7 p.m. |
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.
