No. 5 Women's Soccer Punches Ticket to College Cup

Friday, November 26

Piscataway, N.J.

7 PM

Rutgers

19-3-2, 10-0-0

NCAA Quarterfinals: #7 Arkansas

19-4-1, 9-1-0

Team	1	2	3	4	5	Final F
Arkansas	2	0	0	0	0	2
Rutgers	2	0	0	0	0	2

Photo by: Ben Solomon

No. 5 Women's Soccer Punches Ticket to College Cup

Nov 26 | Women's Soccer

Box Score Video Recap

Scarlet Knights advance to the Final Four on penalty kicks, 4-2

PISCATAWAY, N.J. - No. 5 Rutgers women's soccer punched its ticket to the 2021 NCAA Women's College Cup, advancing out of the quarterfinals at Yurcak Field on Friday night .RU played to its second consecutive double-overtime draw, this one by a score of 2-2 with No. 7 Arkansas. The Scarlet Knights won the shootout over the Razorbacks, 4-2, to clinch the program's second appearance in the Final Four.

"I didnt think we'd feel something like what we felt when we won the conference title, but the feeling last night of moving on the the College Cup in California was the most incredible feeling to experience with our team and families. I couldn't be more proud of this team and how much history we've fought to make for our school and for Rutgers women's soccer. To be able to clinch our spot in the College Cup in our final game on Yurcak at home in front of the greatest fans in the world means the absolute most to us," said senior captain Nicole Binkley.

"It is such an unreal feeling to be going to the College Cup. Being able to play this tournament home meant everything to us, we couldn't do it without the endless support from our Rutgers family. We are super excited now to head to California and represent Jersey in the Final Four," said senior captain Shea Holland.

Freshman Riley Tiernan led the way with a goal and an assist for the Scarlet Knights. Senior Amirah Ali recorded a goal as well, while classmate Frankie Tagliaferri and sophomores Becci Fluchel and Sara Brocious added an assist each

In net, senior Meagan McClelland made seven saves in the draw, while making a PK and saving a PK for Rutgers in the shootout.

Tiernan gave RU its earliest goal of the season scoring just two minutes into the match. Brocious passed to Tagliaferri at the top center of the box. Tagliaferri used one touch to set up Tiernan, who found the back of the net for a 1-0 RU lead.

#RUWS LEADS‼️ Just two minutes into this match and Riley TIernan has the Scarlet Knights on the board! Sara Brocious and Frankie Tagliaferri on the assistst!! pic.twitter.com/3XKW9wdSyU
— RUWS | BIG TEN CHAMPIONS (@RUWSoccer) November 27, 2021

Although the Razorbacks countered with goals in the eighth and 15th minutes, the Scarlet Knights never let up.

With two minutes to go in the first half, Ali came in clutch for RU with the equalizer. Fluchel passed to Tiernan, who sent the ball to Ali through traffic. Ali went one-on-one with the keeper to score and knot the game at 2-2.

AMIRAH. ALI‼️

Ali ties up the game with a score in the 43rd minute! Becci FLuchel and Riley Tiernan on the assists to make this a 2-2 game! pic.twitter.com/G7XukBZPEd
— RUWS | BIG TEN CHAMPIONS (@RUWSoccer) November 27, 2021

Top-seed Rutgers and No. 2 seed Arkansas traded shots throughout the first and second overtime periods with RU holding a 4-2 edge in the first and 3-2 in the second. The Scarlet Knights found great chances in the 98^th and 99^th minute, however, the game would ultimately reach a penalty shootout.

END OF FIRST OT | #RUWS puts two incredible attempts on goal. However, we remain tied at 2-2 entering the second overtime period. pic.twitter.com/JDBajUhlHh
— RUWS | BIG TEN CHAMPIONS (@RUWSoccer) November 27, 2021

Coming off a Third Round match where McClelland saved three straight PKs, the senior goalkeeper carried that momentum, saving the Razorback's first attempt. Fluchel, Ali, McClelland, and Tiernan each made their attempts to advance RU to the College Cup for the second time in program history and first since 2015.

𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗙𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘 𝗪𝗘 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗘‼️

WE DID IT AGAIN!! #RUWS advances to the #NCAASoccer College Cup on penalty kicks, 4-2! See you in Cali!! pic.twitter.com/95VOZPWa3o
— RUWS | BIG TEN CHAMPIONS (@RUWSoccer) November 27, 2021

𝗚𝗢𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗢 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗚𝗘 𝗖𝗨𝗣‼️ pic.twitter.com/hQYWKAzV3C
— RUWS | BIG TEN CHAMPIONS (@RUWSoccer) November 27, 2021

𝕱𝖎𝖓𝖆𝖑 𝕱𝖔𝖚𝖗 bound.

.@RUWSoccer does it again in PKs, winning 4-2. 😱

For only the second time in school history, the Scarlet Knights advance to the NCAA 𝕮𝖔𝖑𝖑𝖊𝖌𝖊 𝕮𝖚𝖕. 💥 pic.twitter.com/XRS4I2Dv9t
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) November 27, 2021

Get your team a goalie who can do both. 😍

Senior GK Meagan McClelland making saves & nailing a PK like it's her job. 😤@RUWSoccer pic.twitter.com/Vlm43doo4l
— Rutgers On BTN (@RutgersOnBTN) November 27, 2021

Rutgers will matchup with Florida State on Friday, Dec. 3 at Stevens Stadium in Santa Clara, California. More information on tickets and the College Cup can be found at NCAA.com.

Follow Rutgers women's soccer on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Download the Scarlet Knights App for Apple or Android today.

- RU -