BUIS CREEK, NORTH CAROLINA – Rutgers women's soccer (9-3-3, 6-2-3 Big Ten) advanced to the NCAA Tournament Second Round with a 1-0 win over Southeastern Louisiana (8-3-4, 6-2-3 Southland Conference) on Tuesday night. Senior forward Amirah Ali netted the gamewinner in the 87th minute with an assist from freshman forward Allison Lowrey.
 
Junior goalkeeper Meagan McClelland registered the seventh shutout of the year for RU, as the team held its 15th straight opponent to single-digit shots on goal and just two shots overall.

"We were pressing the team from the start, we had a lot of good chances on the net. Their goalkeeper is a very good player," said Ali. "Our grit going towards goal [led to the score]. Becci hit a good ball in, Allie got a good shot in. It was saved, but I just knew I had to be there for my team. I rushed the goalkeeper and got a shot off."
 
THE MATCH
Rutgers started the game strong on the offensive attack, leading the first half in shots, 9-1, and corner kicks, 5-1. Freshman midfielder Julianne Leskauskas paced the squad with three on target attempts for the Scarlet Knights. However, Southern Louisiana's goalkeeper recorded six total saves in the opening frame to keep the score at 0-0 going into the break.
 
The Scarlet Knights held the advantage in scoring chances, leading in shots 8-1 through the majority of the second half. In the 80th minute, RU found a good chance on a setpiece, as freshman midfielder Becci Fluchel's shot would go just high of the crossbar. SLU countered with a break away on the return down the field, but McClelland denied the shot to keep it scoreless.
 
In the 87th minute, Ali would put Rutgers in the lead. A cross from Fluchel set up a shot for Lowrey that would be blocked by the SLU keeper. Ali capitalized on the rebound to net the goal and give the Scarlet Knights a 1-0 advantage.

"What you can expect from our team is that grit, that passion, that dedication to win. We haven't gone to a second round since 2017, so this year we aren't stopping here. We are going to keep pushing," said Ali. "We have a lot of people back at home cheering for us, rooting for us. We are doing it for them as well. We have to remain confident in our abilities. And understanding we are playing against good teams, but we are just as good as any of the teams in the NCAA Tournament. Having that confidence in ourselves."
 
The Scarlet Knights sealed the shutout, holding the Lions to zero shots across the final minutes for the win.

"We definitely are excited to be a part of NCAAs and we know that everyone is a good side and anything can happen. We knew Southeastern Louisiana was going to come at us strong, so we knew to play our game. We had to have that confidence to put shots on goal. We had a lot of shots on net and sometimes it wasn't lucky, but we found a way to put it away tonight," said senior back Shea Holland. "As a team, we always preach family and our drive to get the job done. We know how talented the team is this year."

UP NEXT
Rutgers remains in Buis Creek, North Carolina, to meet No. 6 Clemson in the Second Round on Friday, April 30. Match time is set for 7 p.m. ET live on ESPN3.
 
KNIGHT NOTES

• Rutgers earned its ninth straight NCAA Tournament bid, 11th in the last 13 years, and 15th overall.
• The Scarlet Knights moved to a record of 13-10-6 overall in the NCAA Tournament.
• Amirah Ali, a MAC Hermann Trophy candidate and Senior CLASS Award Finalist, scored her seventh goal of the season, moving her career total to 32. She ranks fifth on the Rutgers career charts in goals, fifth with 77 career points and fourth with 14 game-winning goals.
• Allison Lowrey recorded the third assist of her career, owning five points this season (1g, 3a).
• Meagan McClelland recorded her seventh shutout of the year, ranking fourth on the career charts with 27 clean sheets.
• Rutgers has held all 15 opponents to single-digit shots on goal, holding Southeastern Louisiana to just two shots overall in the match. The team has held seven opponents to a total of five shots or less in matches this season.

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