Women's Soccer Kicks Off 2019 Season with Central Connecticut and Fordham

Scarlet Knights open year with five-game homestand beginning Thursday, Aug. 22

lPISCATAWAY, N.J. – The Rutgers women's soccer team kicks off its 2019 season on Thursday, Aug. 22 with a match against Central Connecticut State. The Scarlet Knights welcome the Blue Devils for a 7 p.m. ET contest at Yurcak Field.

The weekend continues when RU hosts Fordham on Sunday, Aug. 25 for a 2 p.m. matchup also at Yurcak Field. Admission is free for all of RU's home matches. Fans attending are asked to register for free parking by clicking here.

PROMOTIONS
Thursday's match marks New Brunswick night and will feature a poster giveaway. Sunday is International Students Day with a mini soccer ball giveaway.

RUTGERS QUICK KICKS

Last season, Rutgers registered a 11-4-5 overall record and 7-1-3 Big Ten mark, earning its highest conference finish as runner-up to regular season title. RU collected a program-high seven All-Big Ten selections, and remained unbeaten in an NCAA-tying 11 overtime contests.
The Scarlet Knights earned their highest seed to date in its fifth straight Big Ten Tournament at No. 2 and hosted a quarterfinal for the third time in 2018.
RU went on to earn a bid to its seventh straight NCAA Tournament, ninth in the last 11 years and 13th time overall.
Rutgers ended the regular season ranked in the Top 25 for the fifth consecutive year and are receiving votes in the 2019 United Soccer Coaches preseason poll. The Scarlet Knights are ranked 19th in the Top Drawer Soccer preseason poll and 18th in the Soccer America preseason rankings.
Amirah Ali, Meagan McClelland, and Chantelle Swaby were named to the Big Ten Preseason Honors List, while the Scarlet Knights were selected No. 2 in the Big Ten Preseason Coaches' Poll.
Ali, a 2019 MAC Hermann Trophy Candidate, became RU's most recent All-American after leading the team with 10 goals, five game winners and 23 points in 2018. She was also named First Team All-Big Ten and First Team All-Region.
McClelland was named the 2018 Big Ten Freshman of the Year after leading the conference in GAA (0.60) and shutouts (8) in the regular season. She earned Third Team All-Big Ten and Big Ten All-Freshman Team accolades.
Swaby enters the lineup following a summer with the Jamaican Women's National team, starting three games for the nation in its first ever World Cup. Last season, Swaby picked up All-Big Ten Third Team honors.
A full preview of the season can be found here.

SCOUTING CENTRAL CONNECTICUT

CCSU is coming off a 16-2-2 overall record and undefeated 8-0 Northeast Conference mark last season.
The Blue Devils won their ninth conference championship in 2018.
Roma McLaughlin, the 2018 NEC Rookie of the Year, returns after totaling nine points (2G, 5A) in 17 starts last season.
Thursday will be the first meeting between the squads.

SCOUTING FORDHAM

Fordham enters the year following a 9-9-1 overall and 6-3-1 Atlantic 10 campaign in 2018.
The Rams reached their third A10 Championship in the last for seasons.
Margaret Roughley returns as the team's leading scorer with four goals and an assist.
Rutgers leads the series with Fordham, 3-0. The teams last met in 2013 where RU posted a 3-0 victory at home.

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Players Mentioned

#17 Amirah Ali: F; 5' 8"; Junior

#1 Meagan McClelland: GK; 5' 9"; Sophomore; Pre-Business

#3 Chantelle Swaby: B; 5' 11"; Senior; Sport Management

Players Mentioned

#17 Amirah Ali
: 5' 8"; Junior
: F

#1 Meagan McClelland
: 5' 9"; Sophomore; Pre-Business
: GK

#3 Chantelle Swaby
: 5' 11"; Senior; Sport Management
: B

Players Mentioned

#17 Amirah Ali

#1 Meagan McClelland

#3 Chantelle Swaby

Players Mentioned

#17 Amirah Ali

#1 Meagan McClelland

#3 Chantelle Swaby