Women’s soccer was first introduced on the Rutgers Campus in 1984 as part of the Title IX edict. The first 10 years are best described as a decade of success as the program became nationally recognized by winning three consecutive Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference championship titles in 1990, 1991 and 1992.
The first man entrusted with the nurturance and guidance of the fledgling program was Charlie Duccilli, a man whose name was synonymous with the game of soccer in southern New Jersey. The leading scorer in Philadelphia and Temple University history, Duccilli played professionally in the ASL and NASL for eight years. His exploits led him to be inducted into the Temple Sports Hall of Fame in 1983.
In reality, the Rutgers women’s soccer team was never a fledgling one. In fact, the team hit the ground running and never let up. In the first women’s match in Rutgers history, the squad edged Kean College 2-1 with Liz Pellerin scoring the first goal and the game-winning goal coming from Elyse Eichman-Dolan. Eichman-Dolan would eventually finish the season as Rutgers’ leading scorer with 15 goals and six assists for 36 points, leading the team to an impressive 10-4-2 record in that first season. Her single-season scoring record, a total accomplished in that infant season of women’s soccer, held up for nearly 20 years.
The 1985 team showed even more promise, compiling a 13-4-1 mark and qualifying for the ECAC Tournament, its first-ever postseason berth. After a 9-6-2 record in 1986, the Knights soared to their first-ever NCAA Tournament berth in 1987, when they went 12-6. Despite losing 1-0 to Connecticut in the first round, the squad had made the transition from baby steps to adult strides.
Following the triumph of 1987, the squad suffered through an 8-9-3 season in 1988. The disappointment faced by that young 1988 team proved to be a harbinger of great things to come for the next few years.
From 1989 to 1993, the Knights qualified for five straight ECAC Tournaments. The team, not satisfied to just be qualifiers, went on to capture the ECAC title three consecutive years -- in 1990, 1991 and 1992. Those years also saw the Lady Knights compile three straight 13-win seasons, with marks of 13-8-1 in 1989, 13-5-1 in 1990, and 13-7-1 in 1991.
The first decade remains an era of dominance for Rutgers women’s soccer. In the nets, Robin Copperthwaite ushered in the age of winning, followed by RU’s most acclaimed goalie of all time, Saskia Webber. Webber, who still holds the career records for shutouts (34), saves (522), save percentage (.886) and goals-against average (.815) by a RU full-time net-minder, was an All-American and the adidas National Goalkeeper of the Year in 1992. She went on to a stellar career as the starting keeper for the United States Women’s National Team, playing with the 1999 Women’s World Cup champions.
Kris Kurzynowski, a talented product of the Jersey Shore area, still holds the all-time career points and goals records, with 112 and 49, respectively. “Kurz” also owns the career record of 15 game-winning goals and is tied with Eichman-Dolan (1984), Christa Aluotto (1992) and Carli Lloyd (2001) with 15 single-season goals in 1988.
Rutgers’ all-time assists leader, Jennifer Gibbons, tallied 27 during her illustrious career. And not to be forgotten is perhaps one of the most fiery defenders in school history, Denise Reddy, who was one of the greatest team leaders ever at RU.
The 1994 season was another tough one for the Knights, as they struggled through a difficult 6-12-1 record during their final season in the Atlantic 10 Conference. That year saw the loss of five seniors, starters from every position, including a starting goalkeeper. But, from that season arose new stars -- young players who would become the key to Rutgers’ new era of success.
Perhaps one of the bleakest outlooks on a season was in 1995 -- but the rejuvenated Scarlet Knight team proved to be the dark horse candidate.
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Uchenna Bright
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Entering a new conference, the BIG EAST, the team recorded an astounding 13-6-1 record, reaching the semifinals of the BIG EAST Tournament. In addition, the team became only the fourth Rutgers athletic team to achieve fully-funded status within the University -- a status which would allow even more intense, national recruiting.
In 1996, the team broke its own 13-win season record by posting a 14-7 overall record. A quintet of freshmen, led by regional All-American Uchenna Bright, combined to form a nearly-impenetrable nucleus. The team, just a snap away from their first NCAA Tournament berth in 10 years, was edged out of the draw. With a heavy reliance on underclassmen, the squad put together an 8-12 record in 1997, missing out on its first BIG EAST Tournament in the team’s three years of conference competition.
The next two seasons proved to be difficult as new interest arose in women’s soccer. The BIG EAST, now one of the premier leagues in the nation, grew to 13 members. Rutgers struggled through a 5-9-5 season in 1998 but rebounded to close out the century with an 8-10 mark. The decade closed out on a high note as Bright earned her fourth consecutive selection to both the all-BIG EAST and regional All-America teams.
The year 2000 brought a new millennium and a new era to Rutgers soccer as Glenn Crooks became just the second head coach in the program’s history. He led the Knights to a 9-9-2 mark and saw the team earn its first berth to the BIG EAST Tournament in four years.
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Lages
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Crooks’ second season was one of the best in Scarlet Knight history as Rutgers posted a 14-8-1 overall record in 2001 and a 4-1-1 mark in the BIG EAST. RU once again advanced to the BIG EAST Tournament, followed by an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, marking just the second time in school history the Knights would play in the national tourney. Rutgers upended Boston University 4-1 in the first round, followed by a 1-0 upset of No. 22 Princeton. The Knights were in the Round of 16 and faced No. 1 and undefeated North Carolina in the third round. Rutgers jumped out to a 1-0 lead on the Tar Heels, but the eventual national runners-up would fight back to defeat the Knights 2-1. RU ended the season ranked 14th by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), 17th by Collegesoccer.com and 18th by Soccerbuzz in the nation.
Keri Lages’ outstanding three-year career came to an end with 33 points in 2001 and 60 for her career. With just two seniors, the 2001 Knights relied heavily on their outstanding group of newcomers, led by midfielder Carli Lloyd. Named an All-American following her freshman campaign, she rewrote the RU record books with her 37 points (15 goals, seven assists). Lages and Lloyd both were named first-team All-BIG EAST selections and Lloyd picked up the league’s rookie-of-the-year award.
In 2003, RU (10-7-5) made its second NCAA Tournament appearance in a three-year span, advancing past Maryland on penalty kicks (4-3) in the first round before falling at No. 6 Penn State 3-1 in the second round. Lloyd again earned All-America honors from the NSCAA and Soccerbuzz (third team) as well as her third consecutive first-team All-BIG EAST certificate after posting 28 points (13 g, 2 a).
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Lloyd
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The Scarlet Knights posted a 9-10-1 overall mark and a 4-5-1 record in BIG EAST play during the 2004 season. Lloyd was named the BIG EAST Midfielder of the Year after finishing her accolade-filled career first in points (117) and goals (50) at Rutgers.
A young Scarlet Knight squad posted a 10-9-2 mark in 2005, advancing to the BIG EAST Tournament for the sixth straight year with a 5-6 regular-season record.
In 2006, the Scarlet Knights recorded a 16-3-4 overall mark, including a 8-1-2 BIG EAST record, as well as reaching the team’s first-ever conference final. Following the BIG EAST Tournament, Rutgers earned its fourth at-large bid into the NCAA Championships, including hosting the opening two rounds.
Rutgers broke a number of single-season records, including wins (16), shutouts (26) and conference wins (8). The 2006 squad became the first to hold opponents to just six goals in the regular season and have a starting goalkeeper with 14 shutouts. The Scarlet Knights earned its highest-ever ranking at the end of the season, earning the 11th slot from Soccerbuzz.
With Rutgers’ win over West Virginia (Nov. 3), the Scarlet Knights broke the previous school record for wins in a season (14), posting their 15th victory of the 2006 campaign. The win over Hartford in the first round of the NCAA tournament helped Rutgers extend the record to 16 victories. The mark was previously set during the 1996 and 2001 seasons.
The match-up with Hartford (Nov. 10) marked the 15th shutout on the year for the Scarlet Knights. They extended the school record for shutouts in a season, previously 11, set during the 1996 campaign. Rutgers also broke the school record for most wins at home with nine with the victory over Hartford (Nov. 10), a mark previously set by teams in 1987, 1992 and 1996.
Rutgers’ home match with Boston College tied the school record for most home contests, set during the 2001 campaign. Following his seventh season at the helm of the Rutgers program, head coach Glenn Crooks was named the Soccerbuzz Mid-Atlantic Region Runner-Up Coach of the Year. The award is the second for Crooks as he was named the Mid-Atlantic Coach of the Year after a Sweet-Sixteen appearance in the NCAA Tournament by the Scarlet Knights in 2001.
While dealing with injuries, as nine starters missed a total of 66 games, the Scarlet Knights remained successful in the 2007 season, going 9-9-3 overall.
The squad clinched a berth in the BIG EAST Tournament for the eighth consecutive season by shutting out three of its last four opponents. In the first round RU held St. John’s scoreless through two overtimes, and advanced to the second round by way of penalty kicks. In the quarterfinals, Rutgers succumbed to a strong effort by eventual runner-up Notre Dame, falling 2-0.
Despite starting the season with only 11 healthy players, two of whom were goaltenders, the Scarlet Knights went on to complete one of the most successful seasons in RU history in 2008. Finishing 13-7-2, the squad reached the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament. After reaching the BIG EAST Tournament for the ninth consecutive year, all under Coach Crooks, Rutgers lost to Marquette in the quarterfinals. Receiving an at-large bid, unranked RU defeated No. 20 Penn State, 2-1, in double-overtime on Yurcak Field in the first round of the tournament. Hosting another game against No. 7 Oklahoma State, Rutgers would end the game in a 0-0 draw, advancing 4-2 on penalty kicks. The squad’s impressive run would end in Palo Alto, Calif., where No. 5 Stanford scored with less than five minutes to play, ending the Scarlet Knights’ run.
The numerous accomplishments of the Scarlet Knights women’s soccer team are best reflected in their numbers. Over 25 seasons, Rutgers has scored 870 goals to its opponents’ 588 and compiled a record of 267-184-48 for a .583 winning percentage in 499 games. The Scarlet Knights have all-time records of .500 or better against 78 of the 111 teams they have faced.
Rutgers Women’s Soccer Timeline
1984 – First season of women’s soccer at Rutgers. Charlie Duccilli named as first head coach, taking team to a 10-4-2 season.
1985 – In just their second season of competition, Rutgers earned a #17 national ranking and makes the first post-season appearance to the ECAC tournament, compiling a 13-4-1 record.
1986 – The Knights compile a 9-6-2 record. Beth Schimenti is Rutgers first-ever All-American selection.
1987 – Duccilli’s team is one of only two Rutgers programs to advance to national post-season action, earning their first NCAA tourney bid with a 12-6 season record.
1988 – Rutgers goes 8-9-3 in regular season competition.
1989 – The Knights earn their second ECAC championship bid, finishing as the tourney’s runner up and their best-to-date record of 13-8-1.
1990 – Duccilli’s squad captures their first ECAC Championship title, tallying a 13-5-1 record. Goalie Saskia Webber makes the U.S. Women’s National “B” Team.
1991 – Rutgers repeats as ECAC Champion with a 13-7-1 record. Denise Reddy named 2nd team All-American, while Saskia Webber is a finalist for the adidas Goalkeeper and Player of the Year.
1992 – A THREE-peat...the Scarlet Knights win their third consecutive ECAC Championship title with an 11-4-4 record. Christa Aluotto named ECAC Tournament MVP. Saskia Webber named National Goalkeeper of the Year and 1st team All-America.
1993 – Rutgers reaches their fifth consecutive ECAC tournament, but suffer a loss in the semifinals to end the season at 11-5-4. The Scarlet Knights compete in the Atlantic 10 Conference for the first time, compiling a 3-1-2 record.
1994 – Duccilli’s squad struggles through a 6-12-1 season.
1995 – In their first competitive season in the BIG EAST, the Knights compile a 13-6-1 record and take third in the conference championship. Val Duccilli named 2nd Team All-Mid Atlantic.
1996 – A second successful season in the BIG EAST - an overall 14-7 record, a third-place conference finish, and a narrow miss for an NCAA tournament berth. Uchenna Bright and Sue Curtis named All-Mid Atlantic.
1997 – The Knights narrowly miss their third BIG EAST tourney, finishing the season 5-6 in the conference. For the second consecutive year, Uchenna Bright is named All-Mid Atlantic.
1998 – The Knights narrowly miss their third BIG EAST tourney, finishing the season 5-6 in the conference. For the second consecutive year, Uchenna Bright is named All-Mid Atlantic. Uchenna Bright earns her third Mid-Atlantic Regional selection, despite the Knights’ struggle with injuries this year.
1999 – The Knights bounce back to post an 8-10 mark. The decade closes out on a high note as Uchenna Bright earns her fourth consecutive selection to both the all-BIG EAST and regional all-America teams.
2000 – The year 2000 brings a new millennium and a new era to Rutgers soccer as Glenn Crooks becomes just the second head coach in the program’s history. He leads the Knights to a 9-9-2 mark and sees the team earn its first berth to the BIG EAST Tournament in four years.
2001 – The year 2001 is one of the best in Scarlet Knight history as Rutgers posts a 14-8-1 overall record in 2001 and a 4-1-1 mark in the BIG EAST. RU once again advances to the BIG EAST Tournament, followed by an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, marking just the second time in school history the Knights would play in the national tourney. Rutgers upends Boston University 4-1 in the first round, followed by a 1-0 upset of No. 22 Princeton. The Knights are in the Round of 16 and face No. 1 and undefeated North Carolina in the third round. Rutgers jumps out to a 1-0 lead on the Tar Heels, but the eventual national runners-up would fight back to defeat the Knights 2-1. RU ends the season ranked 14th by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), 17th by Collegesoccer.com and 18th by Soccerbuzz.com in the nation.
2002 – Rutgers gets its first-ever BIG EAST Tournament victory, a 4-3 triumph at Miami in the quarterfinals, then just misses out on a trip to the final with a 3-2 loss to No. 8 West Virginia in the semifinals. RU posts a 10-8-2 overall record, and is just edged out of a second straight NCAA Tournament appearance.
2003 – The Scarlet Knights earn a second NCAA Tournament berth in three years, drawing Maryland in the first round at Penn State. The match ends in a 1-1 tie, but the Scarlet Knights are able to advance in the tournament thanks to a 4-3 edge in penalty kicks. RU falls to No. 6 Penn State in the second round, ending its season with a 10-7-5 overall record.
2004 – Rutgers finishes 9-10-1 overall, with a 4-5-1 conference record. Carli Lloyd earns BIG EAST Midfielder of the Year honors.
2005 – The Scarlet Knights achieve a winning record at 10-9-2. In addition, the squad advances to the quarterfinal round of the BIG EAST Tournament.
2006 – Rutgers posts its highest win total in program history, finishing the campaign with a 16-3-4 record. They finish 8-1-2 in the BIG EAST, and advance to the conference title game for the first time ever before losing to Notre Dame, 4-2. The team also reaches the second round of the NCAA Tournament, falling to Boston College in penalty kicks.
2007 – Rutgers goes 9-9-3 in 2007, reaching the second round of the BIG EAST Tournament, where they fall to eventual conference runner-up Notre Dame, 2-0.
2008 - Despite starting the season with only 11 healthy players, two of whom were goaltenders, the Scarlet Knights went on to complete one of the most successful seasons in RU history in 2008. Finishing 13-7-2, the squad reached the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament. After reaching the BIG EAST Tournament for the ninth consecutive year, all under Coach Crooks, Rutgers lost to Marquette in the quarterfinals. Receiving an at-large bid, unranked RU defeated No. 20 Penn State, 2-1, in double-overtime on Yurcak Field in the first round of the tournament.
