PISCATAWAY, N.J. – RV Rutgers women's soccer returns home to host No. 14 Northwestern on Thursday and Illinois on Sunday at Yurcak Field.
 
Thursday's match with the Wildcats is set for 8 p.m. ET live on Big Ten Network with Dean Linke and Kate Markgraf on the call. Sunday's match with the Fighting Illini is set for 1 p.m. ET.
 
RUTGERS QUICK KICKS

• Rutgers (7-1-4, 3-0-2) wrapped up a three-game road swing with a scoreless draw at then-No. 22 Wisconsin and a 2-1, double-overtime victory at Minnesota.
• Goalkeeper Meagan McClelland picked up Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors after making six saves and allowing just one goal in two double-overtime matches. She registered her first Big Ten shutout against the Badgers and recorded a career-high five saves against the Gophers, keeping RU unbeaten in Big Ten play and on the road.
• With five minutes remaining in overtime, senior midfielder Adora Moneme scored the game winner off a double assist from sophomore forward Amirah Ali and junior midfielder Nicole Whitley.
• Ali leads the team and league with eight goals this season, while Whitley leads the conference and is eighth in the NCAA with seven assists.
• Rutgers is receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches Poll.

 
SCOUTING NO. 14 NORTHWESTERN

• Northwestern (8-2-2, 2-2-1) earned a 4-1 win over Michigan on Friday at home.
• The Wildcats key matches this season include a win over then-No. 20 Penn State (1-0), as well as ties with then-No. 25 West Virginia (0-0) and then-No. 22 Wisconsin (1-1).
• Brenna Lovera leads the team with five goals and three assists.
• In net, Mackenzie Wood maintains a 0.48 GAA, including 44 saves and seven shutouts.
• The series between RU and NU is tied at 2-2-1. Last season, the teams played to a 0-0, double-overtime draw in Illinois.

 
SCOUTING ILLINOIS

• Illinois (7-5-0, 2-3-0) picked up a 1-0 victory over Michigan State on Saturday.
• The Fighting Illini key matches include wins over then-No. 3 Duke (2-1) and then-No. 14 Oklahoma State (2-1).
• Katie Murray paces the squad with five goals and three assists.
• In net, Jaelyn Cunningham has seen the most time, maintaining a 1.08 GAA with 39 saves and four shutouts.
• Rutgers leads the series with Illinois, 2-1-1. Last season, the Scarlet Knights earned a 2-1, double-overtime victory on the road.
• Illinois will visit Maryland on Thursday before arriving "On the Banks".

 
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Twitter and Instagram (@RUAthletics) and on Facebook (Rutgers Athletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding Rutgers women's soccer, follow the program on Twitter and Instagram (@RUWSoccer), and on Facebook (Rutgers Women's Soccer). For additional updates, please download the Gameday App.