Allison Lynch is named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week
The Rutgers women’s soccer team has conceded only 6 goals in eight games this season, with its defensive line becoming a top contributor during this 2021 all-in-conference season. One of those main contributors on the defensive side of the ball has been sophomore back Allison Lynch, who was recently named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for her play against Iowa and Minnesota at Yurcak Field from March 18 to March 21.
Lynch recorded an assist on senior forward/midfielder Amirah Ali’s game-winning goal against the Hawkeyes (1-6-1, 1-6-1) while also making a contribution to the 1-0 shutout win for the No. 19 Scarlet Knights (6-1-1, 6-1-1) this past Sunday against the Golden Gophers (3-3-2, 3-3-2), the third shutout victory for Rutgers this season.
The defender has been a constant presence on the field since joining the program, starting in 20 of the 21 games played in her freshman season. This season, Lynch has been able to total 744 minutes of gameplay as she has been on the field for every second of the Knights' eight games.
With Lynch and the rest of the defensive unit, Rutgers has held its Big Ten opponents to under ten shot attempts in six of eight contests this season, while also holding its opponents to under ten shots on goal in each matchup, including its opening season win on Feb. 19 against No. 11 Penn State.
The sophomore back received her first weekly conference honor of her career, while the Knights altogether have had four players win weekly awards this season, with two of them winning defensive player of the week awards.
Rutgers' defense ranks as one of the best when it comes to limiting scoring in the Big Ten this season, as they have allowed an opposing scoring average of 0.75, one of the lowest in the conference.
Lynch and the Knights aim to continue their defensive success this Thursday at 2 p.m. at Barbara Hibner Stadium against Nebraska, where Rutgers looks to begin its final road trip of the regular season with a three-game winning streak and a seventh win on the season.
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