PISCATAWAY, N.J. –  No. 24 Rutgers women's soccer opens its 2018 campaign this weekend with two matches at Yurcak Field. RU first welcomes Delaware on Friday, Aug. 17 at 7 p.m. ET for its season opener before hosting Drexel on Sunday, Aug. 19 at 5 p.m.
 
Both contests will be streamed live on BTN Plus along with live stats. To learn more about BTN Plus and subscription packages, click here.

QUICK LINKS


RUTGERS QUICK KICKS

• Rutgers was tabbed No. 24 in the United Soccer Coaches Poll, having concluded 2017 ranked No. 22 in the nation, the fourth consecutive year RU has finished within the top 25.
• The Scarlet Knights were selected to finish third in the Big Ten Preseason Poll, along with forward Amirah Ali, and backs Chantelle Swaby and Kenie Wright being named to the Big Ten Preseason Honors List.
• Ali returns as RU's leading scorer after posting six goals and five assists in her rookie campaign. The 2017 Big Ten Freshman of the Year collected All-Big Ten Third Team, Big Ten All-Freshman, and All-Region Second Team accolades as well.
• Swaby earned All-Big Ten Second Team and All-Region First Team last season, after assisting the back line in producing NCAA-leading 0.267 GAA.
• Wright also contributed to a back line that allowed a program-low and Big Ten-low six goals across 21 matches.
• Overall, Rutgers returns eight starters and 18 total letterwinners, as well as adding a two-time All-MAC transfer and 10 incoming freshmen.
• The 2017 squad registered a 13-2-6 overall record and 6-2-3 Big Ten mark, qualified for its sixth straight NCAA Tournament, and appeared in its fourth straight Big Ten Tournament.
• RU was the NCAA team statistical champions in GAA (0.267) and save percentage (.924), as well as finishing second in shutout percentage (.762).
• For a full preview of the season, click here.

SCOUTING DELAWARE

• Delaware posted an overall record of 6-10-2 and a Colonial Athletic Association mark of 3-6-0 in 2017.
• The Blue Hens return 14 members to the squad, while adding 13 newcomers to the roster.
• CAA All-Rookie selection Riley Dixon is back after posting two goals and two assists last season.
• Jillian Vassallo is UDel's returning leading scorer, having registered three goals and two assists.
• Delaware and Rutgers have met four times on the pitch with the Scarlet Knights owning a 3-1 lead in the series. The teams last matched up in 2013, where RU took a 1-0 victory at home.

SCOUTING DREXEL

• Drexel finished 2017 with an overall mark of 11-7-1 and a CAA record of 6-2-1 to finish second the conference.
• Among the 21 returners, Shaelyn McCarty and Kiera Hennessy were named to the 2018 Preseason All-CAA Team.
• McCarty earned Third Team All-CAA honors after posting four goals and two assists in 2017.
• Hennessy registered First Team All-CAA honors after starting all contests as part of the defensive unit that recorded nine shutouts.
• The Dragons and Scarlet Knights have faced off eight times in program history, as RU holds an 8-0 lead in the series. Last season, Rutgers claimed a 3-0 victory over Drexel at home.
• Drexel will travel to Rider on Friday before arriving "On the Banks".

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