THE DETAILS
Thurs., Aug. 15
6 p.m. at Lubetkin Field at Mal Simon Stadium (Newark, N.J.)
Rutgers (0-0-0)
vs. NJIT (0-0-0)
LOOKING FOR MORE IN 2024
Last season, the Scarlet Knights continued a longstanding tradition of NCAA Championships soccer, making the bracket for the 12th year in a row, 14th time in the last 16 years, and 18th time overall after a 9-win regular season campaign. RU placed four on the 2023 All-Big Ten awards. Then-juniors Riley Tiernan and Emily Mason earned All-Big Ten Second Team, with Mason earning All-Region Second Team and Tiernan grabbing All-Region Third Team honors. Rutgers finished the regular season unbeaten in five of its final six, rising to No. 37 in the RPI rankings. Their results were highlighted by three shutout victories over NCAA RPI Top 50 teams, including No. 34 Ohio State on the road, No. 42 Providence, and No. 50 Michigan.
“We’ve been focusing on our relationships and making sure we’re all on the same page before the season starts,” Tiernan said. “We know what we’re chasing. It’s important to remember that throughout the season as things get challenging. We’ll be reminding ourselves why we’re working so hard and why we’re working for each other.”
Rutgers finished 5-4-1 in the Big Ten last season for a sixth-place tie, qualifying for the conference tournament for a perfect 10th consecutive year since joining the Big Ten in 2014. The Scarlet Knights welcome 12 newcomers (eight first-years and four transfers) to the roster, joining 19 returning players in 2024, including the six seniors that won the Big Ten title with a 10-0 record and went to the College Cup (NCAA Tournament semifinals) in 2021.
“We are super close; these are my best friends,” said senior forward Gia Girman. “We’ve been playing together for years and it translates well on the field because we love each other like sisters. I think it shows up on the field with how comfortable we are.”
“The senior class has been to the College Cup,” said senior midfielder Kylie Daigle. “Our goal is to make it back and win the whole thing.”
SCOUTING THE HIGHLANDERS
In 2023, the Highlanders posted a 7-7-5 overall record and a 3-4-1 record in America East play. They were eliminated in the quarterfinals of the America East Tournament by UMass Lowell, 3-1. Under Nick’s guidance, NJIT achieved its first .500 or…
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