Youthful Calm, Veteran Experience Boosts Women's Soccer Back Line
Nov 03 | Women's Soccer
MINNEAPOLIS - Graduating talent is something every program experiences year in and year out. But as Rutgers women's soccer entered 2016 without three All-Americans on the defensive side, big question marks remained as to who would step up. Through 19 matches, those questions have been put to rest.
For the answers, look no farther than senior goalkeeper Alana Jimenez and the rookie center back duo of Chantelle Swaby and Amanda Visco. Combined with the veteran experience of All-Big Ten defender Erin Smith and former Big Ten all-freshman honoree Kenie Wright, the group has helped the No. 25-ranked Scarlet Knights (10-3-6) to 10 shutouts and their second-straight Big Ten Tournament Semifinal. RU faces No. 17 Northwestern (14-1-4) in the semifinal Friday at 5:30 p.m. on BTN.
"Amanda and Chantelle have done a great job. Erin - she's our veteran on the back line," Wright said. "Every time she steps on the field she does great and she communicates with all the freshman. I think they've done a great job of learning from me and Erin in the back and they've brought so much to this team. I think they've grown so much in the past month."
Matching the record-breaking success of last year's side, which posted 19 shutouts and advanced to the programs first NCAA College Cup, would be a lot to ask of this young unit. Yet it has maintained Rutgers' reputation for stingy defensive play, holding a 0.73 goals-against average through 19 matches.
Key in that transition is Swaby, who with the departure of former All-Americans and current NWSL professionals Brianne Reed and Erica Skroski, had big shoes to fill at center back.
Admittedly timid on the pitch upon her arrival, the freshman has transformed her game since August and gone on to start 18 of the first 19 matches of her career. The West Hartford, Connecticut, native's improved vocalism on the field has helped her confidence and awareness.
"Definitely not," said Swaby on if she expected to have such a big impact so early on. "I knew there were other center defenders, but I didn't know how helpful I was going to be. But taking on the role, I definitely feel like I'm capable. I feel like I've grown so much as a player, especially with Meg [Ryan's] help."
Swaby and her counterpart, Visco, have combined to start all but one match this season. While both have showed their calm on the back line, Visco has also displayed her finishing ability with two goals.
"A lot is communication and confidence," Wright said. "Every time they make a good tackle, just hyping them up and saying 'good job, keep it up.' That's huge for them."
Not lost in the youth movement is the experience of Jimenez, who earned the starting goalkeeper job in her final year "On the Banks." Junior goalkeeper Casey Murphy, an NSCAA All-American who has started the last two seasons, is currently redshirting the year to play with the U.S. Women's Under-20 Team in the FIFA Women's U-20 World Cup in Papua New Guinea.
But that hasn't stopped Jimenez from relishing in her opportunity. The Ocean, New Jersey, native came up big for the Scarlet Knights last weekend in the Big Ten Quarterfinals, making six saves to knock off the Nittany Lions. Her play, along with the team's awareness along the backline, is a huge reason why the Scarlet Knights are one win away from their third conference final in four years.
"I feel coming off of the Penn State game, we were so calm on the ball," Swaby said. "We just need to keep our composure. We've been playing through the back so well, so as long as we keep switching we're definitely going to find pockets up the seam and score goals."
That youthful calm will be welcome against Co-Big Ten Regular Season Champions Northwestern Friday. RU handed the Wildcats their only loss, 2-0, on Sept. 23 at Yurcak Field.
But the Scarlet Knights know this is a different season, and that they will have to once again answer the call to bring home the hardware.
"We know what it feels like," Wright said. "We know how bad it feels to lose in that final. I think we're going to take it one game at a time, focus on Friday, hope to get the win, then Sunday give it everything we have. A Big Ten Championship is all we're looking at."
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