PISCATAWAY, N.J. – All it took was 26 seconds in overtime for freshman forward
Amirah Ali to break through a top 20 stalemate, lifting No. 16 Rutgers women's soccer to a 1-0 victory over No. 12 Wisconsin on Sunday afternoon at Yurcak Field. The contest was nationally televised live on Big Ten Network.
"We talked about making sure that when we have opportunities that we find the pass and make good decisions with that pass. That is exactly what happened," said head coach
Mike O'Neill. "Then it calls for moments of individual brilliance in these types of games and that is what happened with the finish by Amirah.
"We felt through the second half that it was coming. The team stayed focused and didn't worry about not getting it in regulation. They said they will get it in this period. And then they went for it and got it."
Redshirt junior goalkeeper
Casey Murphy recorded two saves to help guide Rutgers to its 10th shutout of the season.
Ali registered the fifth goal of her rookie career, while junior defender
Kenie Wright and senior forward
Colby Ciarrocca each added their fourth and third assists of the year, respectively, on the play.
Rutgers (9-1-2, 3-1-1 Big Ten) and Wisconsin (8-3-1, 2-2-1 Big Ten) battled through an even first half as the defenses would hold both sides to just two shots apiece. Although, the Scarlet Knights outshot the Badgers (10-2) and led in corner kicks (3-1) across the second half, RU was unable to find the back of the net.
Entering overtime, Rutgers wasted no time. Wright secured a takeaway, sending a pass to Ciarrocca. Ciarrocca quickly passed to Ali at the top of the box. Moving to about 10-yards out, Ali then took the golden shot, tucking the ball into the far post for a 1-0 Rutgers victory.
Up next, Rutgers hits the road for a pair of Big Ten matches. First the Scarlet knights will make a stop at Iowa on Thursday, Oct. 5. RU will then visit Nebraska on Sunday, Oct. 8 for a nationally televised match on ESPNU.
KNIGHT NOTES
- Rutgers improved to 2-0-1 in ranked matchups this season, including a 2-0 win over then-No. 20 UConn and a 0-0 double-overtime draw at No. 15 Georgetown.
- RU moved to a record of 2-0-2 in overtime contests. Most recently, RU captured a 2-1 victory in overtime at Illinois.
- Dating back to 2006, Rutgers holds a record of 99-18-12 at Yurcak Field.
- Casey Murphy picked up her 10th shutout of the season, moving her career total to 39. The goalkeeper maintains a 0.24 GAA with 1124:21 minutes in net this season.
- Amirah Ali is second on the team with 13 points, including five goals and three assists in her rookie season.
- Colby Ciarrocca leads the team with 15 points, including six goals and three assists.
- Kenie Wright leads the team with four assists this season along with a goal of her own.
- The Scarlet Knights made their season debut on the Big Ten Network.
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.
