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Rutgers Women's Soccer heading for NCAAs....starting at home

The quest for the Women's College Cup begins this Friday as the Knights take on the....Knights. We'll get that straightened out as we go.

By rvc73
Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

Rutgers earned its 10th berth to the NCAA Tournament after completing the season with a 16-3-2 record, and advancing to the championship match of the Big Ten Tournament. The Knights RPI over the course of the season - steadily improving - gave RU the second-seed in their bracket. Scarlet Knights will host Fairleigh Dickinson on Friday at Yurcak Field at 7 pm.

After topping Minnesota (4-1) and Ohio State (2-0) in the first two rounds of the Big Ten Tournament, Rutgers fell to he top seeded Nittany Lions, 2-0.

With the second seed, the Knights can hold home field advantage through the regional semi-finals if they keep winning.

Earning its first ever seed in the NCAA Tournament, head coach Mike O'Neill understands the significance and the impact of the recognition.  He also understands what it means to be playing another New Jersey team.

"It's a local game, a local derby. We know that they [FDU] have a very good attack. We expect a very good match," said second-year head coach Mike O'Neill. "The idea of playing these games at home was a goal from day one. You can set all the goals you want, but if you don't work hard from that time until now it doesn't happen. We're very happy and very proud."

Fairleigh Dickinson (16-5) won the NEC Championship this season, defeating Robert Morris, 1-0, Sunday afternoon. Rutgers is 4-0 all-time against the Knights from Teaneck,  last playing them in 2007 at Yurcak Field in a 5-0 win. RU has not conceded a goal in four matches played against FDU, outscoring them 13-0.

Every now and then, something good does happen to Rutgers

Over the years, Rutgers has been shown little love or respect in various NCAA seedings.  The women's soccer team may be seeing a change in the process.

Big Ten in the Tournament

Five Big Ten women's soccer teams will compete in the 2015 NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship. Minnesota, Northwestern, Ohio State, and Penn State, along with Rutgers, all earned berths to the national tournament, which begins on Friday.

Minnesota makes its ninth appearance in the tournament after finishing the season with an 11-6-3 overall record. The Golden Gophers will host South Dakota State in the first round on Friday.

Northwestern, which finished the season with a record of 13-5-2, makes its third appearance in the NCAA Championship, and first since 1998. The Wildcats will travel to Washington State on Saturday.

Ohio State claimed its 10th appearance in the NCAA Tournament after finishing the season with an 11-6-3 record. The Buckeyes will host Butler on Saturday.

Penn State makes its 21st appearance in the tournament, earning a No. 1 seed after claiming a share of the 2015 Big Ten Championship and the Big Ten Tournament title. The Nittany Lions finished the season with a 16-3-2 overall record, and will host Albany in the opening round on Friday.

Rutgers quarter of the Women's College Cup world

Looking at the bracket, Rutgers has played two of the teams.  In early season matchups,  RU beat Princeton, 3-0 on September 3 and then topped UConn 2-0 on September 13.

And our WSOC Moment of Zen