PISCATAWAY, N.J. –  Rutgers women's soccer opened 2018 with a 3-0 victory over Delaware on Friday night at Yurcak Field. Juniors Brittany LaPlant and Nicole Whitley, and sophomore Amirah Ali each contributed goals in the win. Freshman Meagan McClelland registered the shutout in her first career start.
 
"We were better today than we were when we played against Syracuse and Hofstra in our scrimmages. Now we need to continue to get better, while making sure that our habits and details are always there too," said head coach Mike O'Neill. "In order for us to get better, we need to continue to play more. Scoring three goals, getting a shutout, and creating a lot of opportunities was great. I thought Delaware's goalkeeper came up with a lot of great saves and that is a very well coached team."


 
QUICK STATS
Whitley led the stat sheet with a goal and an assist, while seniors Kenie Wright and Madison Pogarch added an assist each. McClelland recorded three saves in the contest.

Delaware's goalkeeper Kamryn Stabelin registered six saves, while Riley Curtin led the Blue Hen offense with two shots.
 
THE MATCH
LaPlant gave RU its first goal of the year, connecting off a corner from Pogarch in the ninth minute. Whitley then extended the Scarlet Knight lead with a direct free kick to the upper 90s in the 24th minute.
 
Returning from the break, Taylor Aylmer took a PK opportunity for Rutgers in the 63rd minute. However, an outstretched Kamryn Stabelin tipped the shot wide to save the attempt. McClelland countered with a tremendous save of her own to keep the Scarlet Knight advantage at 2-0.
 

HUGE SAVE from McClelland!

The Freshman get's a finger on the tough header from the Blue Hens and pays the price.

No. 24 @RUWSoccer is still blanking Delaware 3-0, live on @BTNStudentU pic.twitter.com/tqh7QzmhCk

— Rutgers On BTN (@RutgersOnBTN) August 18, 2018

 
In the 80th minute, Ali, the 2017 Big Ten Freshman of the Year, joined the scoring off a double assist from Wright and Pogarch, pushing the RU lead to 3-0.

BTN PLUS RECAP

Great start for No. 24 @RUWSoccer as they open their season with a 3-0 shutout victory over the Blue Hens of Delaware.

LaPlant, Whitley, & Ali all tally goals in this one for the Knights. pic.twitter.com/1SGeM1wcXB

— Rutgers On BTN (@RutgersOnBTN) August 18, 2018

 
KNIGHT NOTES

• Rutgers moved to 25-5-5 all-time in season openers.
• Rutgers improved to a mark of 103-18-14 at Yurcak Field dating back to the 2006 season
• Dating back to 2008, Rutgers holds a 64-3-3 record when holding a lead at the half. 
• The Scarlet Knights registered their first shutout of the season after leading the nation in GAA a year ago.  
• Eight newcomers made their Scarlet Knight debuts, including Madison Pogarch, Ashley Atubi, Hayley Baer, Mya Daniels, Nicole Binkley, Emily Harrigan, Shea Holland and McCelland.

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