arrived at Rutgers with more expectations than arguably any women's soccer recruit in the program's history. After all, she was fresh off earning the NSCAA National High School Player of the Year award -- the first known recruit to ever sign with Rutgers after being deemed the best scholastic player in America.
Even though Rutgers women's soccer coach Mike O'Neill encouraged her to strive for the Big Ten Freshman of the Year award, Ali had different aspirations on her goals list.
"Mike hinted that he wanted me to strive for that but it wasn't a specific goal for me,'' the Eastern High School product said.