Four Scarlet Knights Receive All-Big Ten Conference Honors
Oct 27 | Women's Soccer
Murphy named Goalkeeper of the Year, Ali named Freshman of the Year
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Four Rutgers women's soccer student-athletes received postseason honors from the Big Ten Conference, announced Friday by the league. Redshirt junior goalkeeper Casey Murphy (First Team), sophomore defender Chantelle Swaby (Second Team) and freshman forward Amirah Ali (Third Team) collected All-Big Ten accolades.
Murphy, the conference leader in GAA, save percentage and shutouts, was bestowed the honor of Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year. The Bridgewater, New Jersey, native Murphy earns her second Goalkeeper of the Year honor in three seasons, returning to Big Ten action this year after sitting out the 2016 campaign while representing the United States at the FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup.
Ali was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year, while also earning a spot on the conference All-Freshman Team. It marks the second consecutive year that Rutgers secured freshman player of year as sophomore midfielder Nicole Whitley garnered the honor in 2016.
Senior midfielder Christy Monroy was named the program's Big Ten Sportsmanship Award recipient.
The two player of the year honors match the highest total for the program, after the Scarlet Knights received Defender of the Year (Erica Skroski) and Goalkeeper of the Year (Murphy) laurels in 2015. It is also the third straight year RU has picked up at least one player of the year award.
"We are extremely happy and proud of our players who were recognized," said head coach Mike O'Neill. "To have two players achieve player of the year honors speaks volumes to the talent we have at Rutgers. We believe that the Big Ten is one of the top soccer conferences in the country. As part of the Rutgers culture, when one achieves, we all achieve."
Casey Murphy | R-Jr. | Goalkeeper
Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year
First Team All-Big Ten
Murphy was a force in net for the Scarlet Knights, recording a nation-best 14 shutouts. The goalkeeper led the Big Ten and ranks third nationally in GAA (0.26), save percentage (.921) and shutouts. She stopped 58 of 63 shots on goal this season.
The 2017 MAC Hermann Trophy candidate recorded five shutouts against Top 25 teams, including three in conference play. Murphy brought her career total to 43 shutouts, a mark that ranks second in Rutgers history and third in the Big Ten record books.
Amirah Ali | Fr. | Forward
Big Ten Freshman of the Year
Third Team All-Big Ten
Big Ten All-Freshman Team
Big Ten All-Freshman Team
Ali broke into the collegiate scene with flare, scoring her first career goal on a single shot in RU's season opening win. From there, the 2016 NCSAA National High School Player of the Year brought her goal total to five, while adding four assists.
The Voorhees, New Jersey, native garnered Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors after recording a career-high two goals against Mount St. Mary's on Aug. 31. Ali also netted the game winner in overtime with then-No. 12 Wisconsin, scoring 26 seconds into the extra period. She also contributed three assists in conference play, including helpers on the game winner in overtime at Illinois and the tying goal in the draw at Nebraska.
Chantelle Swaby | So. | Defender
Second Team All-Big Ten
Swaby solidified a back line that guided Rutgers to a program record 924:07 straight scoreless-minutes of its opponents to open the season, tying the program record of nine consecutive shutouts along the way. She started all 18 contests at center back for the Scarlet Knights.
The West Hartford, Connecticut, native helped the Scarlet Knights become only the second team at the time to shutout then-No. 13 Penn State this season. RU also shutout Big Ten regular season champion, then-No. 12 Ohio State, then-No. 12 Wisconsin, then-No. 15 Georgetown and then-No. 21 UConn. Overall, Swaby and the back line guided Rutgers to second nationally in shutout percentage (.778).
Christy Monroy | Sr. | Midfielder
Big Ten Sportsmanship Award Winner
Monroy saw action in all 18 matches for the Scarlet Knights, starting two. The team captain contributed the first assist of her career in the 2-0 shutout of Drexel. She has seen action in 40 games since transferring to Rutgers in the fall of 2015. A Big Ten Distinguished Scholar Award recipient, Monroy leads by example whether she is in class, volunteering, or on the field.
For the full announcement of Big Ten postseason honors, click here.
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook (Rutgers Athletics) and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding Rutgers women's soccer, follow the program on Facebook (Rutgers Women's Soccer), Twitter (@RUWSoccer) and Instagram (@RUWSoccer). Fans can receive timely information, including special offers and giveaways throughout the year on our social media outlets along with www.ScarletKnights.com.
For the full announcement of Big Ten postseason honors, click here.
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook (Rutgers Athletics) and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding Rutgers women's soccer, follow the program on Facebook (Rutgers Women's Soccer), Twitter (@RUWSoccer) and Instagram (@RUWSoccer). Fans can receive timely information, including special offers and giveaways throughout the year on our social media outlets along with www.ScarletKnights.com.
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