No. 22 Women's Soccer Advances to Second Round of NCAA Tournament

Saturday, November 11

Yurcak Field

5 P.M.

Rutgers University

13-2-5,6-2-3Big Ten

La Salle University

17-4-2,9-0-1A10

Team	1	2	Final F
La Salle	0	1	1
Rutgers	0	3	3

Photo by: Rich Graessle

No. 22 Women's Soccer Advances to Second Round of NCAA Tournament

Nov 11 | Women's Soccer

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Scarlet Knights defeat the La Salle Explorers, 3-1

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The No. 22 Rutgers women's soccer team advanced to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament with a 3-1 victory over La Salle on Saturday evening at Yurcak Field.

Three different Scarlet Knights contributed goals, including freshmen forward Amirah Ali and midfielder Alexa Ferreira, and sophomore forward Brittany LaPlant. Senior forward Colby Ciarrocca added a career-high two assists, while sophomore midfielder Taylor Aylmer and Ali contributed an assist as well.

"It was really good to get those points on the board and have a lot of different people contributing goals tonight," said Ciarroccca. "It adds a lot of confidence moving to the next round.

"It's very exciting to advance. We take a lot of pride in it, especially getting a win on Yurcak Field and for the seniors since it was our last time stepping on this field. "

The Rutgers (13-2-5) defense limited La Salle (17-4-2) to zero shots in the first half and just five in the second, as redshirt junior goalkeeper Casey Murphy registered two saves in the match

In the first half, Rutgers outshot La Salle, 9-0, but the Explorers' goalkeeper Larisa Zambelli recorded five saves to keep the score, 0-0, at the break.
After knocking on the door throughout the first, Ali posted the first goal of the night in the 52nd minute to give the Scarlet Knights a 1-0 lead. Ciarrocca sent a pass from inside the box and Ali finished to the far post.

Shortly after, Ferreira would go on to extend the lead to 2-0 with a goal in the 56th minute. Off a throw in from sophomore defender Tiernny Wiltshire, Ciarrocca passed to Ferreira at the top of the box for the shot.

In the 65th minute, La Salle's Kristin Haugstad sent a pass to Madison Bower in the center of the box. Bower kicked a shot in off the back of her heel to the far post passed a diving Murphy, cutting into the margin 2-1.

RU would seal the win with a goal from LaPlant in the game's 80th minute. After Alymer sent in a pass to Ali about six-yards out, Ali trapped the ball to set up LaPlant. LaPlant beat the keeper to set the final margin at 3-1.

Up next, Rutgers will travel to No. 2 seed West Virginia for a Second Round match on Friday, Nov. 17.

KNIGHT NOTES

Rutgers improved to 10-1-2 at Yurcak Field this season. The Scarlet Knights hold a record of 8-0-2 in NCAA Tournament matches at home.
Rutgers moved to 12-9-5 all-time in NCAA Tournament contests.
Colby Ciarrocca added a career-high two assists in the win, bringing her season total to five assists.
Amirah Ali contributed a goal and an assist, marking the first time she contributed both a goal and an assist in a match.
Alexa Ferreira added her second goal of her rookie campaign.
Brittany LaPlant posted her fifth goal of the year.
Taylor Aylmer notched her second assist of the season.
Casey Murphy has stopped 67 of 73 opponent shots on goal this season, allowing only six goals across 20 games.
The Scarlet Knights advance to the Second Round of the Tournament for the fourth consecutive season and fifth time in the last six years.

Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook (Rutgers Athletics) and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding Rutgers women's soccer, follow the program on Facebook (Rutgers Women's Soccer), Twitter (@RUWSoccer) and Instagram (@RUWSoccer). Fans can receive timely information, including special offers and giveaways throughout the year on our social media outlets along with www.ScarletKnights.com.