PISCATAWAY, N.J. –  No. 13/8 Rutgers women's soccer kicks off Big Ten play this weekend with two matches at Yurcak Field, hosting with Minnesota for the opener on Friday, Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. The Scarlet Knights then make their season debut on the Big Ten Network for a Noon matchup with Wisconsin.
 
HOME MATCH PROMOTIONS
Admission is free for all of RU's home matches. Fans attending are asked to register for free parking by clicking here.
 
Friday night's match marks Champions Night, as RU welcomes all youth club champions to be recognized on field. Sunday's contest will serve as NJ Special Olympics Day at Yurcak Field.
 
RUTGERS QUICK KICKS

• Rutgers (6-0-1, 0-0-0 Big Ten) concluded nonconference play undefeated, including a 5-0 mark at home and 1-0-1 record on the road during the opening half of the season.
• Junior forward Amirah Ali, a 2019 MAC Hermann Trophy candidate, lifted RU to a 1-0, double-overtime victory on the road at Delaware with a PK in the 102nd minute. It marked her fifth goal, third PK, and second OT game winner this season.
• Sophomore goalkeeper Meagan McClelland racked up her fifth shutout of the season and second on the road, stopping the single Blue Hen shot on goal. McClelland owns a 0.28 GAA and has denied 17 of 19 opponent shots on goal across the seven contests.
• McClelland and the defense rank fourth in the nation in GAA and first in the Big Ten. Ali ranks third in the Big Ten in goals (5) and points (12).
• RU climbed six spots up to No. 13 in the latest United Soccer Coaches Poll, while also ranking No. 8 by TopDrawerSoccer.com and No. 10 by Soccer America.

SCOUTING MINNESOTA

• Minnesota (1-5-2, 0-0-0 Big Ten) split two home matches last week, earning a 1-0 win over then-No. 14 North Carolina State at home before suffering a 1-0 loss to South Dakota State
• Makenzie Langdok leads the team with two goals on the season followed by four Golden Gophers with a goal each.
• In net, Maddie Nielson holds a 1.57 GAA along with 28 saves across seven contests.
• The series between Rutgers and Minnesota is tied 4-4. The teams most recently met in the 2018 Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinals. The Gophers edged out a 1-0 win, going on to become the eventual champions. 

SCOUTING RV WISCONSIN

• Wisconsin (4-2-1, 0-0-0 Big Ten) is coming off a 1-0, road loss at then-No. 5 UCLA.
• Dani Rhodes paces the Badgers with six points, including two goals and two assists.
• Goalkeeper Jordyn Bloomer maintains a 0.54 GAA with 18 saves and three shutouts.
• The Badgers, who are receiving votes in the latest poll, will face the Maryland Terrapins on Friday before their trip to New Jersey.
• Wisconsin holds a 1-3-2 edge in the series with Rutgers. Last season, the squads played to a scoreless overtime draw in Madison.

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