#16 Rutgers Women's Soccer Defeats Drexel 2-0 To Remain Unbeaten

The #16 ranked Rutgers women’s soccer team continued its domination of opponents during the 2017 campaign, defeating Drexel (3-3) on Sunday 2-0 at Yurcak Field. This was just a few days after RU beat Mount St. Mary’s 7-0. The Scarlet Knights are now 5-0 on the season and have tallied 18 goals, 14 of which are from underclassmen, while not allowing any opponent to score in a game so far. Head coach Mike O’Neill spoke about the details being the motivating factor in the team’s success:

“It's the small things that we do in training that we bring into the match. We talk about being 28 strong and when you have players that maybe didn’t perform to the level they have in the previous matches, other players step in and pick them up. The depth of the team is important.

“We take a lot of pride in keeping the ball and through keeping the ball we create chances. We defend as one. We focus on doing the small things really well and we are pretty strong from front to back.”

Sunday’s game was scoreless for most of the first half, until Rutgers got on the scoreboard in the 37th minute with a goal from sophomore forward Brittany LaPlant. The goal was set up by senior midfielder Christy Monroy and sophomore forward Carina Hendley, who registered assists on the play.

Shortly after halftime, senior forward Colby Ciarrocca gave Rutgers a lift in the 49th minute, heading in a goal off of a corner kick from junior defender Kenie Wright. It was Ciarrocca’s third score of the season and Wright’s third assist as well. Rutgers picked up the victory on coach O’Neill’s birthday!

After winning all five game this season at Yurcak Field, Rutgers now prepares for their first road trip of the 2017 campaign. They take on George Mason (0-5) Friday, September 8th before taking on their second ranked foe of the season in #10 Georgetown (4-2) on Sunday, September 10th. The two schools played twice last season, with the Hoyas winning both, including in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Rutgers will be looking for revenge and this time will have goalkeeper Casey Murphy in net. With five shutouts this season, she has now tied with former US National team goalie and RU alum Saskia Webber for second all-time for Rutgers with 34 clean sheets in her career.