DURHAM, N.C. – Despite a gritty, defensive battle on the pitch, the Rutgers women's soccer team was edged by the No. 4 seed Duke in a rainy NCAA Tournament First Round match on Friday night.

"The team left on the field and that is what we asked them to do," said head coach Mike O'Neill. "I think we did a lot of good things today. It's always hard [to end the season] because as a coaching staff you always want more for your team. 

"For the seniors, we are so proud of them. They've raised the standards, they've raised the level of expectations when coming to Rutgers University, and they've left a mark on the program. For that, we will be forever grateful. I'm really proud of the effort everyone gave today. Really proud."

Rutgers (11-4-5) and Duke (15-3-2) tied with nine shots each in the contests. Freshman goalkeeper Meagan McClelland recorded four saves, just one shy of her career best.
 
THE MATCH
Rutgers and Duke played through a defensive first half, which only saw eight shots by both teams combined. The Blue Devils edged the shots category, 5-3. McClelland, however, added in two first half saves to keep it scoreless.
 
With less than five minutes to go in the first frame, Duke's Ella Stevens sent in a shot on a setpiece from the top corner of the box, but McClelland punched out the attempt to keep it 0-0 heading into the break.
 
Returning from halftime, Rutgers came out the gate firing, as sophomore forward Nneka Moneme sent in a shot on goal less than five minutes into the second half. Duke's keeper Brooke Heinsohn, however, would make the save to keep the score balanced.
 
In the 72nd minute, the Scarlet Knights found another strong attempt. After senior back Madison Pogarch sent in a corner kick, the Scarlet Knights set up junior midfielder Taylor Aylmer who shot from about three yards out. However, her shot would be deflected by the Blue Devil defense.
 
Duke would go on to find the back of the net in the 77th minute on a free kick. The Blue Devils' Ella Stevens sent in the setpiece from the top right corner of the box, as Kayla McCoy headed in a shot that snuck just past a diving McClelland.
 
Rutgers never relented, breaking through the Duke defense on a few more attempts. As time expired, though, the Blue Devils edged out the win.
 
KNIGHT NOTES

• Rutgers qualified for its seventh straight NCAA Tournament, ninth in the last 11 years and 13th all-time.
• For the seventh straight year, the Scarlet Knights finished the season with 11-plus wins.  
• RU finished the year with a 4-2-2 mark in road contests.
• The Scarlet Knights went 1-1-1 in three ranked matchups this season, as No. 9 Duke marked its highest ranked opponent since 2016.
• Meagan McClelland, the 2018 Big Ten Freshman of the Year, registered four saves and was one shy of her career best.

 
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