The Big Dance for Women’s Soccer
The Scarlet Knights women’s soccer team (9-3-4, Big Ten 6-2-3) made it through to the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament for the second straight year, losing, 2–1, to the Wisconsin Badgers. The team, ranked No. 22, qualified for its ninth consecutive NCAA Tournament and beat Southeastern Louisiana, 1–0, in the first round. In the next round, Rutgers lost to No. 6 Clemson in a penalty-kick shootout after battling to a double-overtime draw, 1–1. For the season, the soccer team matched its program record in having seven student-athletes earn Big Ten Conference awards. Senior forward Amirah Ali (pictured) was named a MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist for the second straight season. The honor goes to the most outstanding male and female players of the year.