Starting XI: Women’s Soccer vs. Nebraska

THE DETAILS

Thu., Oct. 10
7:30 p.m. at Yurcak Field (Piscataway, N.J.)
Rutgers (8-1-3, 4-0-2)
vs. Nebraska (4-7-1, 1-4-1)
TV: Big Ten Network

At the Stadium

Blackout

Wear black to the game and show your solidarity with the team. Receive a black Rutgers t-shirt, while supplies last.

The tailgate takes place in the parking lot three hours before kickoff. Then 90 minutes before kickoff, fans are encouraged to welcome the Scarlet Knights to Yurcak Field at the Scarlet Walk located outside the ticket booth.

SETTING THE STAGE

Rutgers is unbeaten over its last nine matches at 7-0-2, including 1-1 draws on the road at then-No. 1 Michigan State and No. 19 Penn State. Sitting at No. 27 in the Oct. 7 RPI Rankings, the Scarlet Knights own draws against the No. 2, 4, and 6 RPI teams (Wake Forest, Michigan State, and Penn State). Rutgers is receiving votes in the Oct. 1 United Soccer Coaches national poll and is No. 15 in the latest Top Drawer Soccer poll.

Rutgers plays four of its remaining five regular season matches at home, including a Sunday 1 p.m. tilt with No. 11 Iowa at Yurcak Field.

NO SHOTS, NO SERVICE, NO GOALS

A longtime mantra of the Rutgers women’s soccer defense has proven effective during the 8-1-3 start to the season in which the defense gave up just 0.33 goals per game (4 goals allowed in 12 matches). During that span, Rutgers has held opponents to four or less shots on goal in all 11 of 12 games, including three or less in seven matches. The 0.33 goals-against average is the second best in the country.

Senior center back Kassidy Banks has played every minute through 12 matches, alongside another senior back in Emily Mason anchoring the stingy effort on the defensive end. After missing the opener, freshman Claire Hammill has started in 11 consecutive games at back and ranks sixth among field players in minutes. Sophomore Audrey Cain has three starts on the backline, while freshman Riley Morris and sophomore Ava Brass also have contributed minutes to the backline efforts.

SCOUTING THE HUSKERS

Nebraska is 4-7-1 overall and 1-4-1 in the Big Ten. The Huskers are 1-1-1 over its last three with a 1-0 win over…