Fighting right until the end, the Rutgers Women’s Soccer team (No. 24 nationally, 5th seed) saw its season come a conclusion Saturday night in a 1-0 loss to Brown in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament at jam packed Yurcak Field in Piscataway.
Brown’s Ava Seelenfeund provided the only score in the game’s 81st minute when she took a pass Kira Maguire and headed the ball into the back corner of the net to make it 1-0.
AVA SEELENFREUND!!!!
— Brown Women's Soccer (@BrownU_WSoccer) November 13, 2022
Bears lead with nine to go!!!!https://t.co/6KIj1tgaaS pic.twitter.com/x12HdxpEsp
Rutgers never gave in. The Scarlet Knights did all they could to try to find the equalizer to force overtime, but couldn’t find the back of the net.
“With less than a minute on the clock, Sam Kroeger stepped up to a free kick and put a screamer on target to the right side of the net, only to watch a diving Bella Schopp stop the shot for Brown.
“The rebound attempt was chested wide of net by Adriana Kuryla, and the final chance went by the wayside. It was Rutgers’ only shot on goal in the second half.” (Rutgers Athletics).
Brown wound up out-shooting Rutgers 14-10, with a 4-3 edge in shots on goal.
In her final start for Rutgers, graduate student Megan McClelland recorded three saves. She will graduate graduate as the NCAA’s all-time minutes played leader at 9,482:27.
Brown moves on to face UC Irvine next week, which will take place in Alabama.
Rutgers finishes the season at 13-5-2, including an outstanding record of 9-1-1 at home.
Pack Yurcak ✅ #GoRU | #NCAASoccer pic.twitter.com/5kLggj6jN4
— Rutgers Scarlet Knights (@RUAthletics) November 13, 2022
Our season comes to a close with a 1-0 loss to Brown in the NCAA Tournament.
— RUTGERS WOMEN’S SOCCER (@RUWSoccer) November 13, 2022
Thank You, Rutgers Nation for the love and support. We have a lot to be proud of in 2022.#WeNeverStop /// #ForeverRutgers pic.twitter.com/dQlZn9c5El