Rutgers women’s soccer is undefeated through the first three games of the season, with the Scarlet Knights now ranked third in the nation.
It is tied for the highest ever ranking in the program’s history, tying their final rank last year in a season where they made the final four of the NCAA Women’s College Cup).
Now the Scarlet Knights (3-0-0) face a big test on Sunday afternoon at Yurcak Field against Buffalo (2-0-0). The Bulls have won both of their contests by identical 4-1 scorelines, beating Binghamton and then Niagra.
The MAC program is a strong one, having gone 13-4-3 last season.
The return home for Rutgers is welcome, even as the road trip to start the season was much needed. Wins at New Mexico and against UNLV in the Lobo Invitational as well as last week at Providence are big for the program. Head coach Mike O’Neill said that starting with a road trip is important for the mentality of his team.
“To reach our goals, we have to win at home and we have to win on the road,” said head coach Mike O’Neill. “We want to challenge our comfort zone early, and we like the added benefit of bonding as a team and building team chemistry with some early time on the road together.”
The win over New Mexico, a 1-0 result, was impressive given that the Lobos are the preseason favorites to win the Mountain West Conference.
This season is undoubtedly one of expectation and increased expectation for Rutgers, having been voted in a tie to finish atop the Big Ten once again. Last season, Rutgers went 19-4-2 (10-0 Big Ten). It was the most wins in the program’s history and just the second time ever that a women’s soccer team went undefeated in the Big Ten.
Sunday’s match against Buffalo will take place at 1 P.M. at Yurcak Field and will air on BTN+.
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