Women's Soccer Announces 2017 Schedule
Jul 06 | Women's Soccer
PISCATAWAY, N.J. āĀ Rutgers women's soccer released its schedule for the 2017 season onĀ Thursday. The slateĀ features 10 NCAAĀ qualifiers, 13Ā teams that finished in the top 100 in RPI and 11 home matches atĀ YurcakĀ Field.Ā
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"We are excited for the season. It's a tough schedule that willĀ force us to be at our best every day," said head coachĀ MikeĀ O'Neill. "There are no easy games on the schedule. The players and coaches both understand the importance of coming outĀ everyĀ day in training, working hard, enjoying the process and getting better.
Ā
"With the Big Ten beingĀ one of the top soccerĀ conferences in the country,Ā we need our out-of-conference schedule to prepare us for conference play.TheĀ preparation andĀ build up from when the teamĀ reports, to preseason, to out of conference, then into conference play isĀ very important."
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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.Ā
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The season opener atĀ YurcakĀ Field is set forĀ Friday, August 18Ā with Loyola Marymount.Ā The slate continues with Monmouth (August 20), UConn (August 27), Mount St. Mary's (August 31), and Drexel (September 3).Ā
Ā
"It means a lotĀ for us to play at home in front of our families, friends, alumni,Ā University, fans and the Rutgers community," said O'Neill.Ā "I knowĀ it'sĀ veryĀ importantĀ 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."
Ā
The ScarletĀ Knights then hit the road for theirĀ first away contests of the year at George Mason (September 8) and Georgetown (September 10).Ā
Ā
"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."
Ā
RUĀ returnsĀ home for its Big Ten opener with MarylandĀ on Sunday, SeptemberĀ 17.Ā The remaining conference home matchups include Minnesota (September 29), Wisconsin (October 1), Penn State (October 12), Ohio State (October 15)and Michigan (October 25).Ā
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Rutgers and MinnesotaĀ will rematch afterĀ meeting in the 2016 Big Ten Championship.Ā Marking its second-straight appearance in the final,Ā RU was edgedĀ in a 2-1 thriller.
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The Scarlet Knights travel to league foes Northwestern (September 22), Illinois (September 24), Iowa (October 5), Nebraska (October 8), and Indiana (October 21).Ā
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The home slate will also featureĀ three doubleheaders with the RU men's soccer teamĀ on Sunday, SeptemberĀ 17, Sunday, October 1, andĀ Wednesday, OctoberĀ 25.Ā
Ā
"The expectations for us are that we work hard and get better every day, non-negotiable.Ā And when you put together a schedule like we have that is the only option," said O'Neill.Ā
Ā
Last season,Ā 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,Ā and punched its ticket to a fifth NCAA Tournament in a row.
Ā
Information on television and web stream broadcasts, promotions, and tickets will be announced at a later date.
Ā
The full schedule can be foundĀ here.Ā
Ā
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 withĀ www.ScarletKnights.com.
Ā
"We are excited for the season. It's a tough schedule that willĀ force us to be at our best every day," said head coachĀ MikeĀ O'Neill. "There are no easy games on the schedule. The players and coaches both understand the importance of coming outĀ everyĀ day in training, working hard, enjoying the process and getting better.
Ā
"With the Big Ten beingĀ one of the top soccerĀ conferences in the country,Ā we need our out-of-conference schedule to prepare us for conference play.TheĀ preparation andĀ build up from when the teamĀ reports, to preseason, to out of conference, then into conference play isĀ very important."
Ā
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.Ā
Ā
The season opener atĀ YurcakĀ Field is set forĀ Friday, August 18Ā with Loyola Marymount.Ā The slate continues with Monmouth (August 20), UConn (August 27), Mount St. Mary's (August 31), and Drexel (September 3).Ā
Ā
"It means a lotĀ for us to play at home in front of our families, friends, alumni,Ā University, fans and the Rutgers community," said O'Neill.Ā "I knowĀ it'sĀ veryĀ importantĀ 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."
Ā
The ScarletĀ Knights then hit the road for theirĀ first away contests of the year at George Mason (September 8) and Georgetown (September 10).Ā
Ā
"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."
Ā
RUĀ returnsĀ home for its Big Ten opener with MarylandĀ on Sunday, SeptemberĀ 17.Ā The remaining conference home matchups include Minnesota (September 29), Wisconsin (October 1), Penn State (October 12), Ohio State (October 15)and Michigan (October 25).Ā
Ā
Rutgers and MinnesotaĀ will rematch afterĀ meeting in the 2016 Big Ten Championship.Ā Marking its second-straight appearance in the final,Ā RU was edgedĀ in a 2-1 thriller.
Ā
The Scarlet Knights travel to league foes Northwestern (September 22), Illinois (September 24), Iowa (October 5), Nebraska (October 8), and Indiana (October 21).Ā
Ā
The home slate will also featureĀ three doubleheaders with the RU men's soccer teamĀ on Sunday, SeptemberĀ 17, Sunday, October 1, andĀ Wednesday, OctoberĀ 25.Ā
Ā
"The expectations for us are that we work hard and get better every day, non-negotiable.Ā And when you put together a schedule like we have that is the only option," said O'Neill.Ā
Ā
Last season,Ā 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,Ā and punched its ticket to a fifth NCAA Tournament in a row.
Ā
Information on television and web stream broadcasts, promotions, and tickets will be announced at a later date.
Ā
The full schedule can be foundĀ here.Ā
Ā
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 withĀ www.ScarletKnights.com.
Monday, September 07
Thursday, October 23
Monday, October 06
Monday, August 18
