PISCATAWAY, N.J. – There’s a reason why the Rutgers University women’s team is ranked No. 21 in the country.

The Scarlet Knights proved it at Yurcak Stadium with a 4-0 victory over Monmouth University Sunday.

The loss was Monmouth’s first in its last 12 regular season matches (9-1-2) and snapped a nine-match road unbeaten streak in the regular season.

Rutgers (2-0) outshot Monmouth (0-1-1), 22-0, and held a 4-0 corner kick advantage. The Scarlet Knights haven’t allowed a goal this young season.

The hosts jumped out to an eighth-minute lead by taking advantage of a penalty kick as Taylor Aylmer’s shot beat goalkeeper Amanda Knaub to her right. The Scarlet Knights doubled their lead with 32 seconds remaining in the first half when Kenie Wright slotted a shot inside the far post after a run down the left sideline.

Rutgers added two more goals in the second half.

“This game exposed some of the things we need to work on,” Monmouth head coach Krissy Turner said. “We need to accept the result and learn so we can be more prepared for conference play in a few weeks. Our practice environment needs to replicate the pace of play that we are facing on game day and if we can start bringing more energy on a daily basis, we will be highly competitive in the MAAC.”

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.