Rutgers Women’s Soccer Begins Final Four Tonight
Tonight Rutgers women’s soccer is looking to make a little history.
For only the second time in program history, the Scarlet Knight are playing in the College Cup, also known as NCAA Women’s Soccer’s Final Four, which kicks off tonight in Santa Clara, California. Rutgers will go up against Florida State, while BYU takes on Santa Clara. Rutgers vs. Florida State begins tonight at 7 p.m., and can be watched on ESPNU and streamed on the ESPN app.
In a year where RU went 19-3-2, and set numerous club records, the program is looking for its first national title.
“Being able to represent New Jersey in the Final Four is an awesome feeling and a great opportunity for our team. We always talk about Jersey pride, Jersey grit. A lot of people look at it as they’re all local, but we think of it as we’re all home. We’re home here with our family.
“Even though most of our team is from Jersey, our out-of-staters come in and they bring their adversity through their other states to us. They add to the program and then we show him what jersey is like and they make it even better. We have the best fan base in the country and we can’t wait to go out to California representing the state, bringing all that pride and grit with us,” Senior Captain Megan McClelland told scarletknights.com.
“It’s hard to find words to express what it feels like to be going to the Final Four. This team has worked so incredibly hard and have always left everything out there for each other. To know we’re adding to the great culture of all the amazing teams that paved the way is just an unreal feeling,” Junior Back Allison Lynch added.
After dispatching of Bucknell and St. Louis in the first two rounds of the tournament, Rutgers had to win back-to-back games on penalty kicks. They defeated TCU on penalty kicks 5-4 in the Sweet 16, and edged out Arkansas 4-2 on penalty kicks in the Elite Eight.
What has made this Rutgers team so special is the fact it has received contributions from all women up and down the roster.
Frankie Tagliaferri leads the team in goals (13), points (35), and shot on goal percentage (.578).
Amirah Ali not only has had huge goals in this tournament, she is second on the team in goals (12), has six assists and 30 points this season.
Reilly Tiernan has been a breakout star her freshman year. She leads the team in assists (13), owns eight goals, 29 points and a .536 shot on goal percentage.
Megan McClelland has been tremendous in goal for Rutgers all season. In 24 games, she has allowed only 16 goals, has a goals against average of 0.67, and has recorded 80 saves this season.
Meanwhile Head Coach Mike O’Neil and his coaching staff earned 2021 North Region Staff of the Year by United Soccer Coaches, while Amirah Ali, Meagan McClelland, Gabby Provenzano, Frankie Tagliaferri and Riley Tiernan each were tabbed All-North Region by United Soccer Coaches, matching the program record of five All-Region selections set in 2019. Ali, Provenzano and Tagliaferri and Tiernan were also named All Americans by United Soccer Coaches.
Provenzano and Tagliaferri were named 2021 MAC Herman Trophy Semifinalists.
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