PISCATAWAY, N.J. - We. Never. Stop. Three short words encapsulate a season-long, forward-thinking attitude bridging a historic 2021 College Cup run to a brand new campaign in 2022, when the records reset to 0-0-0. Rutgers women's soccer uses “We Never Stop” as a motto, and as a resounding answer to the question posed after the Scarlet Knights won the school's first-ever Big Ten title in 2021 on the way to a program-record 19 victories and the squad's second-ever appearance in the NCAA Women's College Cup. So, what's next? …

WE R THE CHAMPIONS

The Scarlet Knights established a historic and record-breaking season in 2021 with a 19-4-2 overall record. The team captured the first Big Ten Conference title for the program and for Rutgers, cruising to a 10-0 undefeated record in conference play. Led by a program-high nine All-Big Ten selections, the team advanced to the Big Ten Tournament Championship game for the third time since joining the league.

In its 10th straight NCAA Tournament and first as a No. 1 seed, the team advanced to the College Cup for the second time and first time since 2015. Overall, a plethora of new program records were set by the squad, including total wins, goals, assists, points, winning streak, and more. The most home games in a single season saw a new Yurcak Field attendance record with over 5,000+ fans. 

The Scarlet Knights capped the year ranked No. 3, the highest rank ever for the program. Overall, Rutgers collected a plethora of accolades, including three MAC Hermann Trophy candidates, three All-Americans, five All-Region and nine All-Big Ten selections. The Scarlet Knights earned Big Ten Midfielder of the Year, Defender of the Year, and Freshman of the Year awards, the most major conference awards in a single season in team history.

Head coach Mike O'Neill and staff were lauded with Big Ten and Regional Coaching Staff of the Year awards. O'Neill returns for his ninth season at the helm, and 23rd overall with the program. Lubos Ancin returns for his ninth season, and first after a promotion to associate head coach. Madison Tiernan and Ryan Nigro were both elevated to assistant coach roles and return for the 2022 season.

FOREVER RUTGERS

Rutgers returns nine starters (15 or more starts) and 17 letterwinners from the 2021 College Cup squad. 

Returning “On the Banks” this fall are Big Ten Freshman of the Year and All-Region First Team performer Riley Tiernan and All-Region goalkeeper Meagan McClelland. Junior midfielder Becci Fluchel (All-Big Ten Second Team), sophomore back Kassidy Banks (Big Ten All-Freshman Team) and sophomore midfielder Kylie Daigle (Big Ten All-Freshman Team) also return with conference honors from last fall.

RU has been ranked No. 6 in the nation entering the 2022 season in the United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division I Women's Preseason Poll. The Scarlet Knights have now been ranked or received votes in the national preseason poll in 11 of the last 13 seasons.
 
The Scarlet Knights were ranked No. 25 one year ago in the 2021 preseason poll before winning a Big Ten title. Rutgers is the top ranked Big Ten program in the 2022 preseason poll, followed by No. 9 Michigan and No. 14 Penn State. Purdue and Wisconsin are also receiving votes.

The Big Ten coaches voted Rutgers to repeat as conference champions, coming in a first-place tie with Penn State in the annual preseason poll. The poll marks the first time in Rutgers Athletics history a Scarlet Knight team has been picked No. 1, and it also marks the first time in conference history the women's soccer preseason poll resulted in a tie for the top spot.

McClelland, Tiernan and junior midfielder Sara Brocious were named Big Ten Players to Watch by the conference. Tiernan also added a College Soccer Coaches National Player to Watch honor to her preseason ledger.

Coach O'Neill signed five freshmen to the 2022 roster (Hannah Blodget, Olivia Bodmer, Mallory McGuire, Allie Post, and Naila Schoefberger) and welcomed five transfers to the mix (Niamh Cashin - Rider, Hailey Gutowski - Temple, Jessica Schildkraut - Columbia, Emily Smith - American, and Naya Vialva - La Salle).