PISCATAWAY, N.J. - The 2023 Rutgers women's soccer season comes with a new start, a fresh 0-0-0 record, and a blank slate on which to write the next great chapter “On the Banks.” Amid all the newness, however, is a stark familiarity. Ten of 11 primary starters return. Eleven point scorers are back representing 116 of last season's 125, and on defense, the ‘No Service, No Shots, No Goals’ mantra still rings true.

Following the historic 2021 Big Ten championship and NCAA College Cup run, the 2022 squad adopted the 'We Never Stop' motto, which shows no signs of stopping in 2023. Despite a program-best 9-0-0 start to the season, 13 victories, and an 11th consecutive bid to the NCAA Tournament, the ending of the 2022 campaign did not meet the program's expectations and standards. ‘We Never Stop’ is an equal opportunity rallying cry, echoed during good times and challenging times alike. This year, its meaning is derived from committing to the fundamentals, relying on the family-like bonds throughout the team, and never stopping the pursuit of one-percent better every day.

EXPERIENCE & AMBITION

The Scarlet Knights return a total of 18 players from the 2022 roster, including 16 with playing time on the books. Twelve returners started at least one match last season, with 10 starting 12 or more matches.

All but three goals from the 42 netted in '22, and all but three assists, are accounted for in the returning class this fall. The Scarlet Knights also bring some hardware forward from the 2022 season, with returning All-America Third Team selection Emily Mason back on defense. Mason was one of four United Soccer Coaches All-Region picks, joining Riley Tiernan (Second Team), Sara Brocious (Third Team), and Sam Kroeger (Third Team). Those four, along with Allison Lowrey and Emma Misal, all earned All-Big Ten awards last fall, with Mason earning First Team honors. Gia Vicari is also a returning All-Region performer after earning Second Team accolades on Georgetown last season.

Among the newcomers are a New Jersey Player of the Year, a group of High School All-Americans, and multiple national and state champions from the club and high school ranks. The 11 freshmen, including nine from New Jersey, are Brianna Azevedo, Ashley Baran, Ava Brass, Audrey Cain, Elliot Forney, Gabriela Gil, Alyssa Martinez, Reilly McGlinn, Shannon Reiser, Olivia Russomanno, and Tehya Scheuten.

THE SLATE

Rutgers will prepare for the Big Ten Conference gauntlet with a tough non-conference schedule that includes three 2022 conference champions and four NCAA Tournament teams. The Scarlet Knights will take on CAA champions, Hofstra, on Aug. 20, NEC champions, FDU, on Aug. 28, and three-time defending Big East champions, Georgetown, on Sept. 4 - all at home at Yurcak Field. RU will also visit NCAA Tournament participants NC State on the road Aug. 24.

The Big Ten opponents include Penn State, Purdue, Michigan, Michigan State, and Northwestern at home and Indiana, Nebraska, Iowa, Maryland, and Ohio State away. The Nebraska (Sept. 28), Michigan (Oct. 12), and Ohio State (Oct. 19) matches will be broadcast nationally on Big Ten Network, with the remainder of the conference schedule and home non-conference slate streamed live and on demand on B1G+.

The Big Ten Tournament awaits the conference's top eight teams from Oct. 26 through Nov. 5. The NCAA Tournament begins at campus sites on Nov. 10-12, concluding at the NCAA College Cup on Dec. 1 at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina.