Photo by: Noah K. Murray
Ali, Pogarch, McClelland Claim Big Ten Weekly Awards
Oct 09 | Women's Soccer
Scarlet Knight trio pushes RU to first place in Big Ten and No. 21 in nation
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Three Scarlet Knights of Rutgers women's soccer collected Big Ten weekly honors following two conference shutouts of No. 14 Northwestern and Illinois over the weekend. Sophomore forward Amirah Ali (Offensive Player of the Week), senior back Madison Pogarch (Defensive Player of the Week) and freshman Meagan McClelland (Goalkeeper of the Week) claimed three of four Big Ten women's soccer weekly awards.
The trio played a vital role in improving Rutgers overall record to 9-1-4 and extending its conference unbeaten streak to 5-0-2, lifting the Scarlet Knights to first place in the Big Ten standings. The victories also propelled RU back into the rankings, sitting at No. 21 in this week's United Soccer Coaches Poll.
AMIRAH ALI
BIG TEN OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Ali registered back-to-back golden goals to secure the two victories for the Scarlet Knights. The forward's goal against the Wildcats marked just the seventh goal allowed by Northwestern, handing RU its first ranked victory of the season. Ali then closed the weekend with her fifth game winner of the year against the Fighting Illini.
Overall, the Voorhees, New Jersey, native has netted a league-leading 10 goals this year, four of which have come in overtime. In a program-record five overtime wins in a single season for RU, Ali has had a hand in each OT game winner, scoring four and assisting one. Ali is tied for fourth in the NCAA in game-winning goals.
The honor marks the second weekly honor of Ali's career and first of the year.
MADISON POGARCH
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Pogarch played every minute in the two overtime victories this weekend, as RU improved to 5-0-3 in eight consecutive OT contests. The defense has produced five shutouts overall and three Big Ten shutouts on the season.
The Hartland, Michigan, native aided the backline in holding the Fighting Illinois to just four shots across the 98-minute match, including single shots in the first and second half and only two shots on goal. Additionally, the Wildcats entered the contests averaging 1.25 goals per game, as the Scarlet Knights were just the fourth squad to hold them scoreless this season.
The recognition marks the first Big Ten weekly honor for Pogarch, who transferred to RU this year.
MEAGAN MCCLELLAND
GOALKEEPER OF THE WEEK
McClelland did not allow a single goal across two overtime contests, picking up a weekly honor for the second consecutive week.
After earning Big Ten Freshman of the Week accolades for a career-high five saves in the double overtime win at Minnesota, McClelland posted five saves for the second straight game to shutout the Wildcats. It marked the first ranked clean sheet for the Kearny, New Jersey, native, and fifth overall this season.
McClelland posted two saves in her second shutout of the weekend against Illinois, making a huge stop in the first overtime period. Her outing extended RU's dominance at home to 3-0-1 in league matches at Yurcak Field.
UP NEXT
The Scarlet Knights travel for two Big Ten road matches this weekend with stops at Ohio State Friday and Penn State Sunday.
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.
The trio played a vital role in improving Rutgers overall record to 9-1-4 and extending its conference unbeaten streak to 5-0-2, lifting the Scarlet Knights to first place in the Big Ten standings. The victories also propelled RU back into the rankings, sitting at No. 21 in this week's United Soccer Coaches Poll.
AMIRAH ALI
BIG TEN OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Ali registered back-to-back golden goals to secure the two victories for the Scarlet Knights. The forward's goal against the Wildcats marked just the seventh goal allowed by Northwestern, handing RU its first ranked victory of the season. Ali then closed the weekend with her fifth game winner of the year against the Fighting Illini.
Overall, the Voorhees, New Jersey, native has netted a league-leading 10 goals this year, four of which have come in overtime. In a program-record five overtime wins in a single season for RU, Ali has had a hand in each OT game winner, scoring four and assisting one. Ali is tied for fourth in the NCAA in game-winning goals.
The honor marks the second weekly honor of Ali's career and first of the year.
MADISON POGARCH
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Pogarch played every minute in the two overtime victories this weekend, as RU improved to 5-0-3 in eight consecutive OT contests. The defense has produced five shutouts overall and three Big Ten shutouts on the season.
The Hartland, Michigan, native aided the backline in holding the Fighting Illinois to just four shots across the 98-minute match, including single shots in the first and second half and only two shots on goal. Additionally, the Wildcats entered the contests averaging 1.25 goals per game, as the Scarlet Knights were just the fourth squad to hold them scoreless this season.
The recognition marks the first Big Ten weekly honor for Pogarch, who transferred to RU this year.
MEAGAN MCCLELLAND
GOALKEEPER OF THE WEEK
McClelland did not allow a single goal across two overtime contests, picking up a weekly honor for the second consecutive week.
After earning Big Ten Freshman of the Week accolades for a career-high five saves in the double overtime win at Minnesota, McClelland posted five saves for the second straight game to shutout the Wildcats. It marked the first ranked clean sheet for the Kearny, New Jersey, native, and fifth overall this season.
McClelland posted two saves in her second shutout of the weekend against Illinois, making a huge stop in the first overtime period. Her outing extended RU's dominance at home to 3-0-1 in league matches at Yurcak Field.
UP NEXT
The Scarlet Knights travel for two Big Ten road matches this weekend with stops at Ohio State Friday and Penn State Sunday.
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.
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