Rutgers Women’s Soccer Upsets #17 Northwestern & Advances To B1G Finals

The Rutgers women’s soccer team continued their strong play in the Big Ten tournament in tonight’s semifinal, knocking off #3 seed Northwestern 1-0. Junior Colby Ciarrocca scored the game winner just seven minutes into regulation.

Ciarrocca also scored against Northwestern in Rutgers 2-0 win back in September, which was the only other loss for the #17th ranked Wildcats this season (14-2-4) before tonight. The goal was her 6th of the season and it was assisted by Kenie Wright.

After losing the regular season finale to Wisconsin, Rutgers (11-3-6) knocked off #2 seed and defending national and Big Ten champion Penn State last Sunday. Now after tonight’s upset win, they advance to the Big Ten Championship game on Sunday against #1 seed and #8th ranked Minnesota (15-3-3). It’s a game they have become a regular in the past few years.

Minnesota is the host of the Big Ten semifinals and final, as they are the top seed in the conference tournament. It is great to see the Rutgers fans that did make the trip to the midwest to support the team!

Rutgers has put themselves in great position to be selected for at-large berth to the NCAA Tournament, but would receive an automatic bid with a win on Sunday. After the two schools did not play during the regular season, they will now meet on the pitch in the Big Ten Championship.

If Rutgers can win the conference title, it would not only mark a tremendous run after a disappointing 7th place finish in the regular season, but they would pull off a feat never previously done in Big Ten history.

Of course, it would also mark the first Big Ten title ever for any Rutgers program in school history.

Congratulations to head coach Mike O’Neill and the women’s soccer team on another great victory! They truly are setting the standard for all other athletic programs at Rutgers. Best of luck on Sunday and remember the game will be shown live on the Big Ten Network at 2 p.m.