The Rutgers women’s soccer team will face UConn in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Nov. 16, marking their 19th appearance in the championship. The Scarlet Knights, who have historically performed well at home, come in with an 11-4-5 record, while UConn boasts a 13-4-4 record. Rutgers is looking to advance past the first round for the 13th time, building on a recent string of success against UConn since 2015. UConn is making its first NCAA appearance since 2016 after an impressive run in the Big East Tournament secured their automatic bid. The game will air at 5:00 PM ET on ESPN+.

By the numbers

• Rutgers has an overall record of 15-13-9 in NCAA tournament play.
• UConn leads the series at 16-4-2 since 1984, while Rutgers has won the last five meetings.

Yes, but

Despite Rutgers’ recent success against UConn, the Huskies’ strong performance in the Big East Tournament cannot be overlooked. UConn earned its spot in the NCAA Tournament with a double-overtime victory against Xavier, showing resilience and depth. This matchup could test Rutgers’ ability to maintain their winning streak.

State of affairs

• Rutgers has a solid playoff history with 12 first-round breakthroughs from 18 NCAA appearances.
• UConn’s last NCAA Tournament game was in 2016, but their recent performances indicate a resurgence.

What’s next

The winner of the Rutgers-UConn matchup will face the winner of the Stanford-UC Santa Barbara matchup in the second round, potentially having a significant impact on the bracket dynamic. Both teams want to play to their strengths to advance in the tournament.

In short

As Rutgers prepares for a historic matchup against UConn, the outcomes of their previous meetings could impact the team’s confidence and strategy. The stakes are high; Making progress in the NCAA Tournament could shift momentum for both programs heading into the next phase of competition.