PISCATAWAY, N.J. –  Junior forward Nneka Moneme netted her third consecutive game winner to lift No. 21 Rutgers women's soccer to victory over No. 16 Michigan on the road Thursday night. Sophomore goalkeeper Meagan McClelland sealed RU's 11th shutout of the season and third straight.
 
Rutgers improved to 13-2-2 overall and 7-2-1 in Big Ten play, while Michigan fell to 12-4-1 overall and suffered just its second loss in conference play for a mark of 7-2-1 as well.
 
QUICK STATS
Moneme moved into the team lead with nine goals on the season and five game winners. Senior forward Brittany LaPlant posted her sixth assist of the year, while junior forward Amirah Ali added her fourth.
 
McClelland recorded five saves in the win, picking up the 19th clean sheet of her career. Michigan's goalkeeper Hillary Beal notched three saves on RU's attempts.
 
THE MATCH
Rutgers and Michigan opened the game with a tight defensive battle on the pitch. Midway through the first half, the Wolverines strung together a few shots. McClelland, however, made two big stops to keep the match scoreless.
 
With less than three minutes to go in the half, a shot on target by senior midfielder Taylor Aylmer would be saved by UM's keeper. Rutgers remained on the attack, as another shot from Alymer moments later would be blocked by the back line.
 
The Scarlet Knights, however, quickly reclaimed possession as junior forward Amirah Ali set up senior forward Brittany LaPlant to send a perfectly timed pass up ahead. Moneme broke free to meet the pass about 6-yards out, using her first touch to score to the far post. The goal gave RU a 1-0 lead heading into halftime.
 

Teamwork makes the dream work!!

Nneka Moneme puts it in the back of the net off a great pass from Brittany Laplant!!

No. 21 @RUWSoccer leads No. 16 Michigan 1-0 at the half! pic.twitter.com/L0JyNIRry8

— Rutgers On BTN (@RutgersOnBTN) October 24, 2019

 
Despite Michigan putting on the pressure following the break, leading shots, 7-3, McClelland remained resilient in net. She broke up numerous crosses and posted three saves to seal the shutout for the Scarlet Knights.
 
UP NEXT
Rutgers remains on the road with a trip to Michigan State on Sunday for its regular season finale.
 
KNIGHT NOTES

• Rutgers remained undefeated on the road, owning a mark of 4-0-2 in away matches this season.
• RU is 6-0-1 in its last seven contests, including a three-game win streak.
• The Scarlet Knights moved to 2-0 in matches against ranked opponents this season, having topped then-No. 11 Tennessee in August. RU is 4-1-1 against opponents ranked or receiving votes.
• Nneka Moneme has scored in three consecutive contests for Rutgers, including back-to-back golden goals in the two games prior. Moneme has 14 career goals and six career game winners.
• Brittany LaPlant added her sixth assist of the year and of her career.
• Amirah Ali contributed her fourth helper of the season and 12^th of her career.

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