Swaby and Visco: Center Back Pair the Core of Scarlet Knight Defense
Nov 01 | Women's Soccer
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The Rutgers women's soccer program has a long history of stellar defense and a resilient back line. The Scarlet Knights continue to strengthen that reputation as the team leads the NCAA in shutout percentage this season, including 15 shutouts across 19 games (.789).
Sophomores Chantelle Swaby and Amanda Visco are the core of this year's defense as the duo at center back. Swaby, a 2017 Second Team All-Big Ten selection, has started all 19 contests this season, while Visco, a 2016 Big Ten All-Freshman Team member, has started the last 15 straight.
With redshirt junior goalkeeper Casey Murphy in net, Swaby and Visco are the next line of communication for the squad to stay organized on the pitch.
"As center backs on this team, it's our role to keep the team as organized as possible so we are prepared for any situation that may happen on the field," said Visco. "It helps to have Chantelle next to me because it's another voice instructing our teammates in front of us."
"We are expected to use our voices to keep everyone in front of us organized and continue to have composure throughout the entire game," echoed Swaby.
With an important role in the lineup, the duo uses their bond to help guide their teammates. While the bond was formed in 2016 on the pitch in over 20 matches as freshmen, it has grown stronger as roommates.
"Chantelle and I actually live with each other and we also lived with each other freshman year in the dorms," said Visco. "I think being around each other a lot helps build a friendship that helps us connect on the field."
Having a teammate and, more importantly, a friend out there certainly helps the pair stay composed throughout the entire match.
"It makes it easy to be comfortable and relaxed knowing that there is someone else next to me that has the same mentality as me that doesn't want to let any goals in," said Swaby. "Someone that has the same responsibilities as me to back me up."
This connection has resonated through the entire defense, as the Scarlet Knights have recorded six shutouts in all of their six ranked matchups this season. RU picked up shutout wins over then-No. 12 and Big Ten regular season champion Ohio State, then-No. 12 Wisconsin and then-No. 21 UConn, while registering double-overtime draws with then-No. 15 Georgetown and twice with No. 11 Penn State.
"Having 15 shutouts is a huge accomplishment for the back line and Casey. We take a tremendous amount pride in not letting up a lot of shots and always make it one of our goals before the game to not let up anything," said Visco.
Along with the help from outside backs Kenie Wright and Courtney Norton, and goalkeeper Murphy, the Rutgers defense is a hard test to reckon with for opponents this season. Overall, only five goals have been scored on the Scarlet Knights, ranking second in the nation in team GAA (.247).
Swaby, Visco, and the rest of the Scarlet Knights await selection for the 2017 NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship. The show is set to air on Monday, Nov. 6 at 4:30 p.m. ET.
Sophomores Chantelle Swaby and Amanda Visco are the core of this year's defense as the duo at center back. Swaby, a 2017 Second Team All-Big Ten selection, has started all 19 contests this season, while Visco, a 2016 Big Ten All-Freshman Team member, has started the last 15 straight.
With redshirt junior goalkeeper Casey Murphy in net, Swaby and Visco are the next line of communication for the squad to stay organized on the pitch.
"As center backs on this team, it's our role to keep the team as organized as possible so we are prepared for any situation that may happen on the field," said Visco. "It helps to have Chantelle next to me because it's another voice instructing our teammates in front of us."
"We are expected to use our voices to keep everyone in front of us organized and continue to have composure throughout the entire game," echoed Swaby.
With an important role in the lineup, the duo uses their bond to help guide their teammates. While the bond was formed in 2016 on the pitch in over 20 matches as freshmen, it has grown stronger as roommates.
"Chantelle and I actually live with each other and we also lived with each other freshman year in the dorms," said Visco. "I think being around each other a lot helps build a friendship that helps us connect on the field."
Having a teammate and, more importantly, a friend out there certainly helps the pair stay composed throughout the entire match.
"It makes it easy to be comfortable and relaxed knowing that there is someone else next to me that has the same mentality as me that doesn't want to let any goals in," said Swaby. "Someone that has the same responsibilities as me to back me up."
This connection has resonated through the entire defense, as the Scarlet Knights have recorded six shutouts in all of their six ranked matchups this season. RU picked up shutout wins over then-No. 12 and Big Ten regular season champion Ohio State, then-No. 12 Wisconsin and then-No. 21 UConn, while registering double-overtime draws with then-No. 15 Georgetown and twice with No. 11 Penn State.
"Having 15 shutouts is a huge accomplishment for the back line and Casey. We take a tremendous amount pride in not letting up a lot of shots and always make it one of our goals before the game to not let up anything," said Visco.
Along with the help from outside backs Kenie Wright and Courtney Norton, and goalkeeper Murphy, the Rutgers defense is a hard test to reckon with for opponents this season. Overall, only five goals have been scored on the Scarlet Knights, ranking second in the nation in team GAA (.247).
Swaby, Visco, and the rest of the Scarlet Knights await selection for the 2017 NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship. The show is set to air on Monday, Nov. 6 at 4:30 p.m. ET.
Players Mentioned
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