Yurcak Field

Coordinates: 40°31′6.7224″N 74°27′49.3632″W / 40.518534000°N 74.463712000°W / 40.518534000; -74.463712000
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Yurcak Field
Map
Full nameThe Soccer Stadium at Yurcak Field[1]
Location83 Fitch Rd.
Piscataway, New Jersey 08854
Coordinates40°31′6.7224″N 74°27′49.3632″W / 40.518534000°N 74.463712000°W / 40.518534000; -74.463712000
OwnerRutgers, The State University of New Jersey
OperatorRutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Capacity5,000
Record attendance5,103 (November 7, 2021)
Field size120 yd × 75 yd (110 m × 69 m)
SurfaceKentucky Bluegrass
Construction
Opened1994
Construction cost$28 million + $102 million expansion
Tenants
Rutgers Scarlet Knights (NCAA)
men's and women's soccer (1994-present)
men's and women's lacrosse (1994-2013)

New Jersey Pride (MLL) (2006–2008)
NJ/NY Gotham FC (WPS/NWSL)
(2009–2011, 2013–2019)

Yurcak Field is a 5,000 seat soccer-specific stadium on the main campus of Rutgers University in Piscataway Township, New Jersey. Fully acknowledged as The Soccer Stadium at Yurcak Field, it is named in honor of Ronald N. Yurcak, a 1965 All-American Rutgers Lacrosse player. The stadium opened in 1994.

History[edit]

The stadium is the official home of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights men's and women's soccer teams.[1] It was the home of NJ/NY Gotham FC of the National Women's Soccer League until 2019[2] and the Rutgers men's and women's lacrosse teams from 1994 until 2013 when the Scarlet Knights' lacrosse teams moved to nearby SHI Stadium.[3]

In 1999, Yurcak Field hosted a third round match of the 1999 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup between the Staten Island Vipers of the A-League and the MetroStars, now the New York Red Bulls, of Major League Soccer.[4] In 2003, the stadium hosted two matches of the 2003 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. A quarter-final match between the New England Revolution and the MetroStars and a semi-final match between D.C. United and the MetroStars with the MetroStars winning both matches.[5][6]

The facility has hosted the Division II & III NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship games in 1998, 2001, and 2002. It was also the home the New Jersey Pride of Major League Lacrosse from 2006 through 2008.

In June 2015, it was announced that Yurcak Field would receive enhanced locker rooms, a new training room and new general office space in the coming years as part of a campus wide program to upgrade Rutgers athletic facilities.[7]

In March 2019, Yurcak Field underwent a surface renovation, as the pitch was replaced with Kentucky Bluegrass, cut at 7/8 inch and placed on a sand base surface. The grass was provided by Tuckahoe Turf Farm in New Jersey.[1]

Rutgers hosted the 2019 Big Ten Women's Soccer Tournament with the Semifinals and Final being played at Yurcak Field on November 8 & 10, 2019.[8]

Rutgers hosted the 2021 Big Ten Women's Soccer Tournament with the Semifinals and Final being played at Yurcak Field on November 4 & 7, 2021. The championship game between Rutgers and Michigan set a new venue record with a total of 5,103.[9]

Rutgers hosted the 2022 Big Ten men's soccer tournament with the Quarterfinals, Semifinals and Final being played at Yurcak Field on November 4, 9, & 13, 2022. Rutgers won the Big Ten Tournament Championship, its first, by defeating Indiana 3–1 in front of 4,203 fans.[10][11]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Rutgers University Scarlet Knights (June 11, 2017). "Yurcak Field". Rutgers University Scarlet Knights. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  2. ^ "New York Red Bulls and Sky Blue FC Announce New Partnership" (Press release). Red Bulls Communication. November 18, 2019.
  3. ^ "Rutgers lacrosse is a good draw". onthebanks.com. May 3, 2017. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  4. ^ "July 13, 1999 – Staten Island Vipers vs. MetroStars". funwhileitlasted.net. October 1, 2013. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
  5. ^ "Guevara's goal late in sudden death sends MetroStars past New England 2-1". soccertimes.com. August 27, 2003. Archived from the original on 2006-12-14. Retrieved August 11, 2017.
  6. ^ "2017 US Open Cup Semi-Final & Finals hosting Draw". onceametro.com. July 14, 2017. Retrieved August 11, 2017.
  7. ^ "Rutgers unveils plan for new and updated athletics facilities". app.com. June 18, 2015. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
  8. ^ "Rutgers To Host 2019 Big Ten Women's Soccer Tournament". bigten.org. August 20, 2019. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  9. ^ "No. 4 Women's Soccer's Winning Streak Snapped in Big Ten Tournament Championship Game". scarletknights.com. November 7, 2021. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  10. ^ "2022 Men's Soccer Schedule". scarletknights.com. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  11. ^ "Men's Soccer Claims First Big Ten Championship in Program History". scarletknights.com. November 13, 2022. Retrieved February 27, 2024.

External links[edit]