SOCCER CENTRAL: at Rutgers

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- The 11^th-ranked Tennessee Volunteers are set to embark on their first road trip of the season this week, visiting 2018 Big Ten runner-up Rutgers on Thursday night. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Yurcak Field in Piscataway, N.J.

FOLLOW LIVE: Thursday's contest will be streamed online via Big Ten Network+, available to BTN subscribers that log in with their TV provider. Live stats will also be provided via SIDEARM Stats.

LAST TIME OUT: Tennessee (2-0) kept its record unblemished Sunday night with 3-0 victory at home over Mercer. The Vols saw goals from senior forward MA Vignola, freshman midfielder Claudia Dipasupil and freshman forward Alicia Donley.

UT put up a historic effort defensively against the Bears, outshooting Mercer 23-0 with a 7-0 advantage in corner kicks. It was the first time in program history that the Vols held an opponent without a single shot or corner in a match.

RANKINGS UPDATE: The Vols were tabbed No. 11 in the latest edition of the United Soccer Coaches women's college rankings. The Scarlet Knights were receiving votes in the poll just outside the top-25.

Tennessee was also selected No. 10 in the country in the TopDrawerSoccer.com rankings, while Rutgers was slotted No. 17.

SERIES HISTORY: Tennessee has faced Rutgers once before, a 3-0 victory for the Lady Vols on Sept. 9, 2001 at the James Madison Comfort Inn Invitational in Harrisonburg, Va. Kim Patrick, Sue Flamini and Rhian WIlkinson tallied goals for UT.

UNCHARTED TERRITORY: Thursday's match will be Tennessee's first soccer match in the state of New Jersey in 24 seasons of program history. The Vols will also compete in New York for the first time when they visit Columbia on Sunday.

SCOUTING RUTGERS: The Scarlet Knights are 2-0 on the season with victories over Central Connecticut (2-1, OT) and Fordham (5-0). Tennessee opened its season last week with a 3-1 win against Fordham.

Coming off its best ever finish in the Big Ten last year, Rutgers was selected second in the league's preseason coaches' poll. All-American forward Amirah Ali, goalkeeper Meagan McClelland and defender Chantelle Swaby were each named to the Big Ten Preseason Honors List.

Ali and junior forward Nneka Moneme lead Rutgers this season with three goals each. Moneme scored a hat trick in the Scarlet Knights' 5-0 rout over Fordham on Sunday.

UP NEXT: Tennessee's northeast road trip continues Sunday as the Vols travel to New York City to face Columbia of the Ivy League. The matchup is scheduled for a 1 p.m. kickoff at the Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium.

For the most up-to-date information on Tennessee soccer, follow @Vol_Soccer on Twitter.

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Players Mentioned

Claudia Dipasupil

Alicia Donley

MA Vignola

University of Tennessee Athletics