PISCATAWAY, N.J. - No. 25 Rutgers women's soccer (12-2-4, 6-2-3 Big Ten) defeated Michigan (6-5-7, 3-4-4 Big Ten) by a score of 1-0 in its regular season finale on Wednesday afternoon at Yurcak Field.
"I'm so proud," said head coach Mike O'Neill. "I am so proud of the team's effort that they put in on the day-to-day. I am really proud of the staff and the work that they put in. It's a good (regular) season and in order to make it great you need to get to postseason. That was part of the goal and we did that."
Freshman forward Alaysia Lane scored the game winner in the 34th minute, as classmate Nneka Moneme added an assist. Redshirt junior Casey Murphy posted her 14th shutout of the season, registering four saves in the clean sheet.
The Rutgers offense continued knocking throughout the first half, posting 10 shots to Michigan's two. In the 34th minute, Lane found RU's answer.
Off an assist at midfield from Moneme, Lane would then break away, sending the shot from the top of the box through UM defenders for a 1-0 lead.
Although Michigan's offense found a rhythm in the second half, Murphy and the defense stayed strong forcing failed attempts. Murphy recorded three of her saves in the second stanza to seal the shutout.
With a spot locked in the 2017 Big Ten Tournament, the Scarlet Knights await final seeding.
KNIGHT NOTES
- Rutgers holds a spot in its fourth consecutive Big Ten Tournament since joining the league in 2014.
- Rutgers improved to 5-0-0 when leading at halftime and 9-1-1 at home.
- Dating back to the start of 2006, the Scarlet Knights hold a record of 101-18-13 at Yurcak Field.
- Casey Murphy leads the nation with 14 shutouts this season. Murphy brought her career total to 43 shutouts, ranking second in Rutgers history.
- Alaysia Lane added her third goal of the season. The rookie registered Rutgers first goal of the season in the opener against Loyola Marymount and the final goal of the regular season.
- Overall, 22 of Rutgers 30 total goals have been scored by an underclassman. Lane is one of three freshmen with multiple goals this year.
- Nneka Moneme added the first assist of her career.
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