Rutgers women’s soccer star Amirah Ali named First Team All-American

Junior forward Amirah Ali was named a First Team All-American by the United Soccer Coaches on Thursday night. Ali scored 9 goals and had 4 assists for a total of 22 points this season, including four game winners. Three of her scores came in overtime, making her the program’s all-time leader with 8 golden goals. Through three seasons at Rutgers, Ali already ranks 8th all-time with 62 total points with 25 goals and 12 assists. She is now a two-time All-American, earning Second Team honors last season. The striker was one of six Big Ten players to earn All-American honors, but was just one of two to be named to the First Team along with Wisconsin’s junior goalkeeper Jordyn Bloomer.

Ali was also recently named one of fifteen semifinalists for the MAC Hermann Trophy, which is awarded to the college national player of the year. She was not named one of the three finalists on Thursday, but seems primed to make a serious run at the honor next season as a senior.

Rutgers finished the 2019 season with a 15-4-1 overall record and 8-2-1 in Big Ten play, finishing in second place in the conference for a second consecutive season. The Scarlet Knights made it to an 8th straight NCAA Tournament, but were upset in the First Round by Central Connecticut State. With Ali entering her senior year next fall alongside Nneka Moneme up top and Meagan McClelland in the net, both of whom earned Second Team All-Region honors this season, Rutgers has several stars to pair with a young nucleus of talent to compete for a Big Ten title next season.