PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers women's soccer released its schedule for the 2017 season on Thursday. The slate features 10 NCAA qualifiers, 13 teams that finished in the top 100 in RPI and 11 home matches at Yurcak Field. 
 
"We are excited for the season. It's a tough schedule that will force us to be at our best every day," said head coach Mike O'Neill. "There are no easy games on the schedule. The players and coaches both understand the importance of coming out every day in training, working hard, enjoying the process and getting better.
 
"With the Big Ten being one of the top soccer conferences in the country, we need our out-of-conference schedule to prepare us for conference play.The preparation and build up from when the team reports, to preseason, to out of conference, then into conference play is very important."
 
Before starting the campaign, RU will host scrimmages against Hofstra (August 6) and Syracuse (August 12). Rutgers then begins the season with five straight nonconference contests at home. 
 
The season opener at Yurcak Field is set for Friday, August 18 with Loyola Marymount. The slate continues with Monmouth (August 20), UConn (August 27), Mount St. Mary's (August 31), and Drexel (September 3). 
 
"It means a lot for us to play at home in front of our families, friends, alumni, University, fans and the Rutgers community," said O'Neill. "I know it's very important to the players and coaches. We have a strong family culture that is very important to the coaching staff, players and program. We are very fortunate to have the great support from all involved in the program both at home and on the road."
 
The Scarlet Knights then hit the road for their first away contests of the year at George Mason (September 8) and Georgetown (September 10). 
 
"We added two tough road games at George Mason and Georgetown. George Mason is a quality side and Georgetown just went to the Final Four. It is so important to get quality games on the road to help prepare us for life on the road in the Big Ten."
 
RU returns home for its Big Ten opener with Maryland on Sunday, September 17. The remaining conference home matchups include Minnesota (September 29), Wisconsin (October 1), Penn State (October 12), Ohio State (October 15)and Michigan (October 25). 
 
Rutgers and Minnesota will rematch after meeting in the 2016 Big Ten Championship. Marking its second-straight appearance in the final, RU was edged in a 2-1 thriller.
 
The Scarlet Knights travel to league foes Northwestern (September 22), Illinois (September 24), Iowa (October 5), Nebraska (October 8), and Indiana (October 21). 
 
The home slate will also feature three doubleheaders with the RU men's soccer team on Sunday, September 17, Sunday, October 1, and Wednesday, October 25. 
 
"The expectations for us are that we work hard and get better every day, non-negotiable. And when you put together a schedule like we have that is the only option," said O'Neill. 
 
Last season, Rutgers closed the year ranked No. 25 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Rankings for the third-straight season, advanced to its second consecutive Big Ten Championship, third conference final match in the last four seasons, and punched its ticket to a fifth NCAA Tournament in a row.
 
Information on television and web stream broadcasts, promotions, and tickets will be announced at a later date.
 
The full schedule can be found here. 
 
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.