Rutgers Olympic Sports: post season and on to winter

Men's Soccer   Season record: 6-12-1, 1-6-1 Big Ten

Men's soccer recorded the first win by any team in the Big Ten.  They also recorded the first post-season win in the Big Ten.  It was everything in between that hurt.  The men lost to Maryland 2-0 in the second round of the tournament to end their season.  But before that, they won their first tourney match up, a play-in, if you will, as they defeated ninth seed Wisconsin 5-2.  Earlier in the week, in the final Big Ten regular season game, the men lost to the Terps 3-2 at Yurcak.

Women's Soccer   Season record: 12-5-1, 8-4-1 Big Ten

In the Big Ten Tournament, the fourth seeded women lost 1-0 to fifth seed Iowa, 1-0.  All five of the team's losses were by shutout.

NCAA Tournament: With a 7th seed in their bracket - the same bracket as overall top seed UCLA - the women will host LaSalle in the first round.  It is the third straight NCAA bid for the squad and the fourth in six years.  The game is Friday, Nov. 14 at 7 pm.  The winner goes on to face the winner of second seed Virginia-High Point

Women's Soccer Post-season honors

Junior back Brianne Reed headlined the Scarlet Knights as a First Team All-Big Ten selection. Junior midfielder Hayley Katkowski and classmate Erica Skroski were each named Second Team All-Big Ten, while rookie goalkeeper Casey Murphy received Big Ten All-Freshman Team laurels.

For the second consecutive season, Rutgers had four players named all-conference. Reed, Skroski and Murphy were each honored for the first time in their careers. Katkowski collected her third all-conference recognition, also earning a spot on the All-BIG EAST Second Team and Rookie Team in 2012.

Redshirt junior Amanda DeVolk was honored as the Scarlet Knights' Big Ten Women's Soccer Sportsmanship Award winner.

"When you play in a conference like the Big Ten, one of the top conferences in the country, to receive recognition makes us very proud," said head coach Mike O'Neill. "We're very proud of them, and we think it speaks volumes for the team anytime players are recognized. Soccer is a team game - these awards are a reflection of the team and the individual. Being recognized individually by your peers is pretty special. At the same time, this recognition is so important to the team and to the University."

Field Hockey  Season record: 9-10, Big Ten 2-7

The Knights had a three game winning streak snapped in the Big Ten Tournament, losing to host and second seed Michigan, 3-0.  Rutgers won nine games for the third consecutive season, including two Big Ten Conference wins in RU's first season in the league.

"This was a first experience and a huge experience for us," Coach Long said. "To be where we are at, with such a young group, and be legitimately competing at the Big Ten Tournament is exciting and a great sign for the future."

Field Hockey Post-season honors

Rutgers had two players recognized on the Big Ten all-conference teams.  Sophomore back Sofia Walia led the way for the Scarlet Knights as a Second Team All-Big Ten selection. Senior midfielder Jenn Staab was also recognized as the Sportsmanship Award honoree.

Walia was a force for the Scarlet Knights this season, contributing at both the offensive and defensive ends. She tied for the team lead with six assists and was second on the team with 20 points. She had two game-winning goals, including one with 2:12 left in the 2-1 win over Indiana that clinched Rutgers' first ever Big Ten Tournament appearance and the other on a penalty stroke in a 3-2 road victory at William and Mary.

"Sofia is very deserving of this honor," head coach Meredith Long explained. "She has been an impact player for our team, both on attack and defense this season. Her play certainly stood out in the conference this season."

The athletes chosen for the Big Ten Conference Sportsmanship Award have distinguished themselves through sportsmanship and ethical behavior, in addition to demonstrating good citizenship outside of the sports-competition setting. Staab, in her second season as a team captain, has been a fixture in the Rutgers starting lineup as a defensive midfielder. She is the Scarlet Knights' active career leader with 71 games played, 69 starts and five defensive saves.

Volleyball  Season record: 7-20, Big Ten 0-14

The Volleyball season continues, and it continues to be a rough road for the Knights.  The team dropped two 3-set losses to Penn State and Ohio State.

Cross Country

Post-season honors

The Big Ten's Sportsmanship Award honorees for Rutgers were Paige Senatore and Jaimin Vekaria.

Swimming & Diving

Off to an impressive start, the team swept a quad meet at the Werblin Center, topping Villanova, (189.50-154.50), Geotgetown (257.50-95.50), and the Seton Hall (284-68).  Head coach Phil Spiniello was pleased with the results. "I was excited to see us compete in both sessions of the meet at both the swimming and diving ends of the pool. It was a complete team effort and it was great to see everyone step up and fill their role. I hope we can carry this momentum to the Frank Elm Invite and continue to train and compete at a high level."

The Scarlet Knights placed first in 12 of 19 total events of the two-day meet.

Rowing

The Rutgers women's rowing team wrapped up its fall season on the Raritan River. The Scarlet Knights raced four Varsity 4s against Lehigh in a dominant outing on the water in their final competition of the calendar year.  Two RU Novice 8s competed in their first collegiate race against the Mountain Hawks one Novice 8, earning valuable experience moving into the spring season.  In the Varsity 4 race, Rutgers secured the top three spots. The Rutgers B boat finished first with a time of 17:39, the Rutgers A finished second with a time of 18:18 and the Rutgers C clocked in at 18:31 for a third-place finish.

Wrestling

In the latest WIN Magazine individual rankings and Tournament Power Index, Rutgers has four wrestlers ranked.  At 141 pounds, Anthony Ashnault is #20.  Ken Theobold at 149 is also ranked #20. , Returning All American Anthony Perrotti is the highest ranked Knight at #6 in the 157 pound class while Billy Smith checks in at #10 at 285 pounds.