PISCATAWAY, N.J. –  No. 21/13 Rutgers women's soccer bowed out of the NCAA Tournament on Friday night at Yurcak Field. The Scarlet Knights dropped a heartbreaking, 1-0 decision to NEC Champion Central Connecticut State as a cross found the back of the net in the 88th minute.

"We did more than enough to win the match, but soccer was cruel to us tonight. CCSU's keeper made some great saves and sometimes that's the way the game goes," said Head Coach Mike O'Neill. "Tonight, that's the way it went for us. We wish the CCSU coaching staff and student-athletes the best of luck.

"The goal when a student-athlete comes to Rutgers University is that, by the time they leave, the women's soccer program and the University are both better because they were here. Every one of our seniors have accomplished that and so much more. I am so proud of them and all they have achieved in the classroom and on the field. I want to thank them so much for everything that they have done for the program, their hard work, dedication and the memories they have created both on and off the field. They will be missed, but they will forever be part of the Rutgers women's soccer family."

QUICK STATS
Rutgers (15-4-2, 8-2-1 Big Ten) controlled the game dominating by in shots, 18-6, and corner kicks, 10-1. The Scarlet Knights recorded 11 shots on goal.

Of CCSU's (13-4-4, 9-1-1 NEC) six shots, the RU defense allowed only two on goal, one of which sophomore Meagan McClelland stopped. The Blue Devils keeper Amanda McQuillian registered 11 saves in the contest. 
 
THE MATCH
Rutgers and Central Connecticut played through a scoreless first half. The Scarlet Knights were strong on the attack, holding the advantage in shots, 7-4, and corners, 4-1. The Blue Devils, however, led in saves, 3-1, to keep the score 0-0 at the break.  
 
In the opening minutes of the second half, RU saw back-to-back shots on goal that would be stopped by CCSU's McQuillan. The first was a header by Amanda Visco off a cross from a setpiece followed by an Amirah Ali attempt to the far post, which an outstretched McQuillan saved right at the post.  
 
The 71^st minute brought a penalty kick attempt for the Scarlet Knights; however, the score would remain 0-0. Moments later, Ali rattled off another strong shot on goal that the keeper managed to stop. 
 
Rutgers attack continued with back-to-back headers by Visco off a setpiece and corner, both from Taylor Aylmer, all in the 85^th minute. However, both would be denied.  
 
In the 88^th minute, CCSU's Erica Bardes sent a cross in from the side of the 18-yard box, which would sneak in the top right corner just high of McClelland's finger tips.  
 
KNIGHT NOTES

• Rutgers earned a bid to its eighth straight NCAA Tournament, 10th in the last 12 years, and 14th overall.
• RU's 15 wins are the third most in program history and just four shy of the program record. The Scarlet Knights have posted 11 or more wins in eight straight seasons.
• Rutgers qualified for its sixth straight Big Ten Tournament this season, advancing to its third semifinal since joining the league in 2014.
• The Scarlet Knight seniors recorded an overall mark of 51-15-19 and a Big Ten mark of 25-7-12 in their four years "On the Banks," totaling 48 shutouts and advancing to four NCAA Tournaments and Big Ten Tournaments.
• Senior midfielder Taylor Aylmer closes out her career in the Top 10 of Rutgers career charts with 17 assists, ranking eighth on the list.

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