Photo by: Larry Levanti
Women's Soccer 2017 Season Recap
Dec 18 | Women's Soccer
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - The 2017 Rutgers women's soccer team continued to push the program's standard. The squad registered a 13-2-6 overall record and 6-2-3 Big Ten mark, qualified for its sixth straight NCAA Tournament, appeared in its fourth straight Big Ten Tournament and wrapped up the season ranked in the top 25 for the fourth consecutive season.
The Scarlet Knights also produced two Big Ten players of the year, three all-conference players, three all-region players, a 2017 MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalist and 11 Academic All-Big Ten honorees.
"This season was a good season but if you think about the way it ended we could have accomplished more," said fourth-year head coach Mike O'Neill. "The successes we have both on and off the field are because of the character and commitment of the players to get better in all they do every day and every year.
"We had a very talented team and as a staff we always look at ourselves first for things we need to get better at. There were areas individually and as a team that we needed to be consistently better. Those areas are what we will work on in the spring. But when we talk about getting better, we talk about getting better in the areas that will give us the best opportunity to be champions."
CONSISTENT NATIONAL PROMINENCE
The Scarlet Knights name remained prominent in the NCAA across the season, proving to be resilient competitors to the opposition.
A team motto of "no shots, no services, no goals" rang loud across the campaign and across the country as RU topped the NCAA defensively. Statistically, Rutgers led the Big Ten and nation in GAA (0.267), allowing a program-low six goals across 21 games.
"We pride ourselves in being organized on both sides of the ball," said O'Neill. "We always say it takes 11 to attack and 11 to defend. It all comes down to organization and shape on both sides."
After opening the year with nine straight shutouts, RU extended the total to 16 clean sheets on the season, three shy of the program record set in 2015. Additionally, RU ranked first in the league and second in the NCAA in shutout percentage (.762).
Rutgers garnered a No. 22 ranking in the United Soccer Coaches final postseason poll. The Scarlet Knights appeared in the poll all but one week throughout the season, climbing as high as 12th in the nation. Against ranked opponents, the Scarlet Knights boasted a record of 3-0-4. RU also remained unbeaten in all overtime contests with a record of 3-0-5, five of which were battled against ranked foes.
WALL OF ACCOLADES
Individually, the squad collected numerous accolades on the year and this was a testament to the team as a whole.
"When one achieves, we all achieve," explained O'Neill. "That motto paired with the honors received speaks volumes to this program."
Redshirt junior goalkeeper Casey Murphy capped her final season as a 2017 MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalist and a First Team All-American. She was tabbed the Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year, while earning First Team All-Big Ten honors and First Team All-Midwest Region accolades. Murphy was also named an United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-American.
Sophomore center back Chantelle Swaby collected Second Team All-Big Ten and First Team All-Midwest Region accolades. Rookie forward Amirah Ali, the 2017 Big Ten Freshman of the Year, garnered Third Team All-Big Ten, Big Ten All-Freshman Team, and Second Team All-Midwest Region recognition.
In the classroom, 11 Scarlet Knights picked Academic All-Big Ten honors. The list included Taylor Aylmer, Colby Ciarrocca, Carina Hendley, Megan Katona, Brittany LaPlant, Adora Moneme, Christy Monroy, Casey Murphy, Courtney Norton, Chantelle Swaby and Amanda Visco.
BREAKING RECORDS
The Rutgers women's soccer record book is constantly being re-written each year and 2017 was no different. Nine games into the year a new record was set as the Scarlet Knights held opponents to a program record 924:07 straight scoreless-minutes, matching a record of nine-consecutive shutouts set in 2015.
Rutgers posted the best GAA (0.27) and fewest opponent goals (6) in program history, both of which records were previously set in 2015 as well. Additionally, RU allowed the fewest opponent points (18), shattering a record (30) that was set in 1992.
"We are always raising the bar on ways to get better," said O'Neill. "When that is consistently your commitment then it will always translate to success in all we do."
THANK YOU SENIORS
The Scarlet Knights bid farewell to a senior class that led the program to four straight NCAA Tournaments and Big Ten Tournaments, two consecutive conference finals and the school's first ever trip to the College Cup. The group of five New Jersey natives - Colby Ciarrocca, Christy Monroy, Casey Murphy, Courtney Norton and Brianna Scarola – leave behind an undeniable mark on the program.
"We are a family so when the season comes to an end it is always hard because of the people, especially the senior class," said O'Neill. "When you spend four years with student-athletes with great character and talent it will always be hard.
"We always talk about leaving this program better than you found it and with the foundation this senior class created that is exactly what they did. The impact they have had on the program both on and off the field speaks volumes to them as people and to their love for Rutgers. This coaching staff was very fortunate to have worked with them and seen them grow as players, but more importantly as people. We know Rutgers University has prepared them for success in the next chapter of their journey."
2018 SEASON OUTLOOK
With a roster that included 21 freshmen and sophomores, the future is bright for the Scarlet Knights, especially after this group contributed 26 of RU's 33 goals this season. Paired with the returning leadership of upperclassmen Kenie Wright and Adora Moneme, Rutgers is poised to continuously push the standard.
"We are excited for the future," said O'Neill. "We will return a lot of quality players and we have another incoming class of good people with character and talent. The off season will be big for the players and staff to all work hard and get better in areas of importance to continue to move the culture forward and accomplish our goals for 2018."
"I know the players are committed to getting better, they have strong desires to improve individually and as a team. Players have the hunger and passion to get better and are in a relentless pursuit of excellence to continue to raise the standard of the Rutgers women's soccer program."
The team will return in the spring and will get to work on building upon this year's successes as well as working on the details to not only become better, but to become champions.
"We cannot wait to get the family back together and focus on raising the bar."
The Scarlet Knights also produced two Big Ten players of the year, three all-conference players, three all-region players, a 2017 MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalist and 11 Academic All-Big Ten honorees.
"This season was a good season but if you think about the way it ended we could have accomplished more," said fourth-year head coach Mike O'Neill. "The successes we have both on and off the field are because of the character and commitment of the players to get better in all they do every day and every year.
"We had a very talented team and as a staff we always look at ourselves first for things we need to get better at. There were areas individually and as a team that we needed to be consistently better. Those areas are what we will work on in the spring. But when we talk about getting better, we talk about getting better in the areas that will give us the best opportunity to be champions."
CONSISTENT NATIONAL PROMINENCE
The Scarlet Knights name remained prominent in the NCAA across the season, proving to be resilient competitors to the opposition.
A team motto of "no shots, no services, no goals" rang loud across the campaign and across the country as RU topped the NCAA defensively. Statistically, Rutgers led the Big Ten and nation in GAA (0.267), allowing a program-low six goals across 21 games.
"We pride ourselves in being organized on both sides of the ball," said O'Neill. "We always say it takes 11 to attack and 11 to defend. It all comes down to organization and shape on both sides."
After opening the year with nine straight shutouts, RU extended the total to 16 clean sheets on the season, three shy of the program record set in 2015. Additionally, RU ranked first in the league and second in the NCAA in shutout percentage (.762).
Rutgers garnered a No. 22 ranking in the United Soccer Coaches final postseason poll. The Scarlet Knights appeared in the poll all but one week throughout the season, climbing as high as 12th in the nation. Against ranked opponents, the Scarlet Knights boasted a record of 3-0-4. RU also remained unbeaten in all overtime contests with a record of 3-0-5, five of which were battled against ranked foes.
WALL OF ACCOLADES
Individually, the squad collected numerous accolades on the year and this was a testament to the team as a whole.
"When one achieves, we all achieve," explained O'Neill. "That motto paired with the honors received speaks volumes to this program."
Redshirt junior goalkeeper Casey Murphy capped her final season as a 2017 MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalist and a First Team All-American. She was tabbed the Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year, while earning First Team All-Big Ten honors and First Team All-Midwest Region accolades. Murphy was also named an United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-American.
Sophomore center back Chantelle Swaby collected Second Team All-Big Ten and First Team All-Midwest Region accolades. Rookie forward Amirah Ali, the 2017 Big Ten Freshman of the Year, garnered Third Team All-Big Ten, Big Ten All-Freshman Team, and Second Team All-Midwest Region recognition.
In the classroom, 11 Scarlet Knights picked Academic All-Big Ten honors. The list included Taylor Aylmer, Colby Ciarrocca, Carina Hendley, Megan Katona, Brittany LaPlant, Adora Moneme, Christy Monroy, Casey Murphy, Courtney Norton, Chantelle Swaby and Amanda Visco.
BREAKING RECORDS
The Rutgers women's soccer record book is constantly being re-written each year and 2017 was no different. Nine games into the year a new record was set as the Scarlet Knights held opponents to a program record 924:07 straight scoreless-minutes, matching a record of nine-consecutive shutouts set in 2015.
Rutgers posted the best GAA (0.27) and fewest opponent goals (6) in program history, both of which records were previously set in 2015 as well. Additionally, RU allowed the fewest opponent points (18), shattering a record (30) that was set in 1992.
"We are always raising the bar on ways to get better," said O'Neill. "When that is consistently your commitment then it will always translate to success in all we do."
THANK YOU SENIORS
The Scarlet Knights bid farewell to a senior class that led the program to four straight NCAA Tournaments and Big Ten Tournaments, two consecutive conference finals and the school's first ever trip to the College Cup. The group of five New Jersey natives - Colby Ciarrocca, Christy Monroy, Casey Murphy, Courtney Norton and Brianna Scarola – leave behind an undeniable mark on the program.
"We are a family so when the season comes to an end it is always hard because of the people, especially the senior class," said O'Neill. "When you spend four years with student-athletes with great character and talent it will always be hard.
"We always talk about leaving this program better than you found it and with the foundation this senior class created that is exactly what they did. The impact they have had on the program both on and off the field speaks volumes to them as people and to their love for Rutgers. This coaching staff was very fortunate to have worked with them and seen them grow as players, but more importantly as people. We know Rutgers University has prepared them for success in the next chapter of their journey."
2018 SEASON OUTLOOK
With a roster that included 21 freshmen and sophomores, the future is bright for the Scarlet Knights, especially after this group contributed 26 of RU's 33 goals this season. Paired with the returning leadership of upperclassmen Kenie Wright and Adora Moneme, Rutgers is poised to continuously push the standard.
"We are excited for the future," said O'Neill. "We will return a lot of quality players and we have another incoming class of good people with character and talent. The off season will be big for the players and staff to all work hard and get better in areas of importance to continue to move the culture forward and accomplish our goals for 2018."
"I know the players are committed to getting better, they have strong desires to improve individually and as a team. Players have the hunger and passion to get better and are in a relentless pursuit of excellence to continue to raise the standard of the Rutgers women's soccer program."
The team will return in the spring and will get to work on building upon this year's successes as well as working on the details to not only become better, but to become champions.
"We cannot wait to get the family back together and focus on raising the bar."
Players Mentioned
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