Photo by: Ben Solomon/Rutgers Athletics
2019 Women's Soccer Recap
Jan 10 | Women's Soccer
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Unity, Excellence and Trust are a few core values of the Rutgers women's soccer program. The 2019 team was united by not only creating the core values for the program but also exemplifying them and elevating the standard for this program on and off the field.
The 2019 team set new standards, by breaking records with an overall record of 15-4-2, including a program best 14 regular season victories. The win total extended its record of 11 or more victories in a season to eight straight years. A Big Ten mark of 8-2-1 for RU matched the most conference victories in a season.
For the second consecutive year, Rutgers finished second in the league, earning the No. 2 seed in its sixth Big Ten Tournament and advancing to its third semifinal. The squad went on to secure a bid to its eighth straight NCAA Tournament, 10th in the last 12 years, and 14th overall.
"We're always happy with the year when we see continued growth in the culture of this program and that is what we saw in the team," said Head Coach Mike O'Neill. "In the beginning of the season, we really focused on becoming one team, one family. We created the Rutgers Women's Soccer Core Values. Creating these values created a foundation that carried us through the year.
"We continuously ask the players to come in ready to go, work hard, compete and get better every day. This team arrived in August as one of the fittest teams in program history and were ready to learn and compete from day one."
The successful campaign translated to countless accolades for the Scarlet Knights, including six All-Big Ten, five All-Region, an All-America selection and a MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist.
"At the start of the year, we asked our players to write down individual and team goals. Then we focused on creating an environment and an execution plan with a clear understanding of what is needed to accomplish these goals." said O'Neill.
"Every day at practice they came out, worked and pushed one another to get better. The expectation every year is to compete for championships. Every day we asked for their best and their commitment to put the team first! The awards achieved by the team this year is a testament to the group as a whole. When one wins, we all win."
Junior forward Amirah Ali, a 2019 MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalist, led the way with her second All-America recognition. Ali was also named All-Region First Team and Big Ten First Team.
Senior back Amanda Visco (First Team), senior midfielder Taylor Aylmer (Second Team), junior forward Nneka Moneme (Second Team), and sophomore Meagan McClelland (Second Team) each earned All-Region nods. The five selections stand as the most All-Region selections in program history.
Ali (First Team), Moneme (Second Team), McClelland (Second Team), Visco (Second Team), Chantelle Swaby (Third Team), and Aylmer (Third Team) all added All-Big Ten accolades to their resumes.
The success of the Scarlet Knights extended off the pitch and into the classroom, as RU produced a Scholar All-American, two Scholar All-Region and 19 Academic All-Big Ten selections.
"We have a history of having a very high standard of academic success and this will never change in our program. We always talk about the importance of academics and managing your time to be successful student-athletes. Their hard work, determination and passion is evident," said O'Neill.
"I want to congratulate the team and especially our senior class for their academic leadership and performance this year. I am so proud of this team."
Visco led the way with a Scholar All-America status, second Scholar All-American in the last three seasons for Rutgers. Aylmer and Visco were tabbed as Scholar All-Region honorees. Recognition achieved by posting a 3.30 cumulative grade point average or better throughout their career, while also contributing significantly to their team.
A total of 19 student-athletes earned Academic All-Big Ten honors, the most since joining the league. The honorees included Ashley Atubi, Taylor Aylmer, Hayley Baer, Nicole Binkley, Aolani Colon, Alicia D'Aoust, Mya Daniels, Dana Goldstein, Emily Harrigan, Carina Hendley, Emma Huntzinger, Megan Katona, Brittany LaPlant, Meagan McClelland, Gabby Provenzano, Jenna Sayers, Brianna Starr, Chantelle Swaby, and Amanda Visco.
Four Scarlet Knight seniors – Taylor Aylmer, Megan Katona, Brittany LaPlant, Amanda Visco, were inducted into the Delta Chapter of Chi Alpha Sigma, the National College Athlete Honor Society.
The Scarlet Knights wrapped up the regular season in the Top 25 for the sixth straight year, climbing as high as 13 during the year. The Scarlet Knights closed the year ranked No. 20 in the NCAA RPI rankings. Overall, Rutgers has been ranked or receiving votes in the polls for 14 consecutive years.
Rutgers graduated one of its most prominent senior classes in the team's history. The group of Taylor Aylmer, Carina Hendley, Megan Katona, Brittany LaPlant, Jenna Sayers, Brianna Starr, Chantelle Swaby, Amanda Visco, and Tiernny Wiltshire elevated the Scarlet Knight standard year after year.
As a class, the team strengthened RU's identity as a national powerhouse with 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 along the way. All of their success translated to a plethora of athletic and academic accolades as well, including three All-Big Ten recipients, six Academic All-Big Ten honorees and three Chi Alpha Sigma Inductees to name a few.
"The senior class has created a family culture that sets the standard for the type of players that we want to recruit. Players that continue to raise the standard for the program. They have been part of the continuous success and expectations of raising the bar for the Rutgers women's soccer family," said O'Neill. "The coaching staff is going to miss this senior class. Throughout their time here we often talk about Forever Rutgers and their goal to leave the program a better place than the time you arrived here. Without hesitation all our seniors were able to accomplish this and will forever be part of R family.
"From the bottom of our hearts, we thank them for their time, passion and love for Rutgers University. They will always be part of R Family and I am looking forward to see where their next chapters take them. Whatever they decide to do in life, I know they will be successful because of what they have learned on the banks, at Rutgers University."
The 2020 Scarlet Knight roster returns a two-time All-American, three all-region honorees, four All-Big Ten selections and a group of a very talented returning players who are hungry to compete, grow and win. The team also welcomes a talented incoming class consisting of numerous high school All-Americans, state champions, and national champions in which all 10 players are expected to have an impact from day one.
"Everybody who is involved with this program always wants more and I am excited to see our growth this spring. We are focused and determined to have a successful 2020 season, but we all know championships are won in the off season," said O'Neill. "I am looking forward to getting this team back in January and continuing to challenge them to grow on and off the field. Another season means new ways to raise the standard and I, along with the coaching staff, am looking forward to this opportunity to grow again."
Follow Rutgers women's soccer on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Download the Scarlet Knights App for Apple or Android today.
The 2019 team set new standards, by breaking records with an overall record of 15-4-2, including a program best 14 regular season victories. The win total extended its record of 11 or more victories in a season to eight straight years. A Big Ten mark of 8-2-1 for RU matched the most conference victories in a season.
For the second consecutive year, Rutgers finished second in the league, earning the No. 2 seed in its sixth Big Ten Tournament and advancing to its third semifinal. The squad went on to secure a bid to its eighth straight NCAA Tournament, 10th in the last 12 years, and 14th overall.
"We're always happy with the year when we see continued growth in the culture of this program and that is what we saw in the team," said Head Coach Mike O'Neill. "In the beginning of the season, we really focused on becoming one team, one family. We created the Rutgers Women's Soccer Core Values. Creating these values created a foundation that carried us through the year.
"We continuously ask the players to come in ready to go, work hard, compete and get better every day. This team arrived in August as one of the fittest teams in program history and were ready to learn and compete from day one."
| WALL OF ACCOLADES |
"At the start of the year, we asked our players to write down individual and team goals. Then we focused on creating an environment and an execution plan with a clear understanding of what is needed to accomplish these goals." said O'Neill.
"Every day at practice they came out, worked and pushed one another to get better. The expectation every year is to compete for championships. Every day we asked for their best and their commitment to put the team first! The awards achieved by the team this year is a testament to the group as a whole. When one wins, we all win."
Junior forward Amirah Ali, a 2019 MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalist, led the way with her second All-America recognition. Ali was also named All-Region First Team and Big Ten First Team.
Senior back Amanda Visco (First Team), senior midfielder Taylor Aylmer (Second Team), junior forward Nneka Moneme (Second Team), and sophomore Meagan McClelland (Second Team) each earned All-Region nods. The five selections stand as the most All-Region selections in program history.
Ali (First Team), Moneme (Second Team), McClelland (Second Team), Visco (Second Team), Chantelle Swaby (Third Team), and Aylmer (Third Team) all added All-Big Ten accolades to their resumes.
| IN THE CLASSROOM |
"We have a history of having a very high standard of academic success and this will never change in our program. We always talk about the importance of academics and managing your time to be successful student-athletes. Their hard work, determination and passion is evident," said O'Neill.
"I want to congratulate the team and especially our senior class for their academic leadership and performance this year. I am so proud of this team."
Visco led the way with a Scholar All-America status, second Scholar All-American in the last three seasons for Rutgers. Aylmer and Visco were tabbed as Scholar All-Region honorees. Recognition achieved by posting a 3.30 cumulative grade point average or better throughout their career, while also contributing significantly to their team.
A total of 19 student-athletes earned Academic All-Big Ten honors, the most since joining the league. The honorees included Ashley Atubi, Taylor Aylmer, Hayley Baer, Nicole Binkley, Aolani Colon, Alicia D'Aoust, Mya Daniels, Dana Goldstein, Emily Harrigan, Carina Hendley, Emma Huntzinger, Megan Katona, Brittany LaPlant, Meagan McClelland, Gabby Provenzano, Jenna Sayers, Brianna Starr, Chantelle Swaby, and Amanda Visco.
Four Scarlet Knight seniors – Taylor Aylmer, Megan Katona, Brittany LaPlant, Amanda Visco, were inducted into the Delta Chapter of Chi Alpha Sigma, the National College Athlete Honor Society.
| CONSISTENT NATIONAL PROMINENCE |
| THANK YOU, SENIORS |
As a class, the team strengthened RU's identity as a national powerhouse with 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 along the way. All of their success translated to a plethora of athletic and academic accolades as well, including three All-Big Ten recipients, six Academic All-Big Ten honorees and three Chi Alpha Sigma Inductees to name a few.
"The senior class has created a family culture that sets the standard for the type of players that we want to recruit. Players that continue to raise the standard for the program. They have been part of the continuous success and expectations of raising the bar for the Rutgers women's soccer family," said O'Neill. "The coaching staff is going to miss this senior class. Throughout their time here we often talk about Forever Rutgers and their goal to leave the program a better place than the time you arrived here. Without hesitation all our seniors were able to accomplish this and will forever be part of R family.
"From the bottom of our hearts, we thank them for their time, passion and love for Rutgers University. They will always be part of R Family and I am looking forward to see where their next chapters take them. Whatever they decide to do in life, I know they will be successful because of what they have learned on the banks, at Rutgers University."
| 2020 SEASON OUTLOOK |
"Everybody who is involved with this program always wants more and I am excited to see our growth this spring. We are focused and determined to have a successful 2020 season, but we all know championships are won in the off season," said O'Neill. "I am looking forward to getting this team back in January and continuing to challenge them to grow on and off the field. Another season means new ways to raise the standard and I, along with the coaching staff, am looking forward to this opportunity to grow again."
Follow Rutgers women's soccer on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Download the Scarlet Knights App for Apple or Android today.
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