Rutgers Hosts Syracuse, Albany This Weekend
Sep 13 | Field Hockey
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Following a dramatic 5-4 double-overtime victory in its last outing, the Rutgers field hockey team (3-4, 0-0 BIG EAST) will look to build on its momentum when the Scarlet Knights host Syracuse (3-2, 0-0 BIG EAST) Friday, Sept. 15, at 7:30 p.m. and Albany (4-2) Sunday, Sept. 17, at 12:00 p.m.
The Scarlet Knights are 3-4 overall this season, most recently defeating visiting Delaware 5-4 in double overtime Sept. 10. Prior to that contest, RU lost a pair of close 2-0 decisions to No. 17 William & Mary Sept. 8, and No. 6 American Sept. 3. For their recent play, the Scarlet Knights received four votes (tied-31st) in the Sept. 12 STX/National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Coaches Poll.
Sophomore Amy Lewis (Hainesport, NJ), who was named to the BIG EAST Conference Honor Roll Aug. 28 and Sept. 11, leads RU with 20 points (10 goals) and ranks first in the BIG EAST in goals per game (1.43 gpg) and second in points per game (2.86 ppg). She was instrumental in Rutgers' victory against Delaware, scoring four of the five goals, including the game winner in the second overtime period. Freshman Kristen Johnson (Lake Ronkonkoma, NY) has added 17 points (five goals, seven assists), and she is tied for first in the BIG EAST in assists per game (1.00 apg) with teammate Corinne Bach (Moorestown, N.J.). Junior Rosalyn Wentko (Dallas, PA), who was named to the BIG EAST Conference Honor Roll Sept. 4 and Sept. 11, owns a 2.40 goals-against average and a .763 save percentage, also ranking second in the BIG EAST in saves per game (6.43 spg).
Rutgers returned 11 letterwinners and seven starters from a 2005 team that posted a 7-12 overall record and a 0-5 mark in BIG EAST play. Fourth-year head coach Liz Tchou has also welcomed a 10-member recruiting class to "the Banks" this fall. Seven of last year's top eight scorers are included on the 2006 roster.
Syracuse is 3-2 overall, most recently defeating Lafayette 3-1 Sept. 10, a team Rutgers was victorious against (2-1) Aug. 30. Additionally, the Orange share Delaware as a common opponent with RU - Syracuse lost 3-4 in overtime to the Blue Hens Sept. 3. Senior Michelle Sola leads the Orange with seven points (three goals, one assist), while classmate Megan Stewart has added five points (two goals, one assist). Sophomore Heather Hess has registered a 1.35 goals-against average and .700 save percentage in goal. The Orange returned 16 letterwinners and nine starters from their 11-9 team of a year ago, finishing fourth in the BIG EAST Conference with a 3-2 record.
Albany is 4-2 this season, most recently defeating St. Francis (Pa.) 8-2 Sept. 8. The Great Danes will play at Delaware Sept. 15. Freshman Michelle Simpson leads Albany with 21 points (eight goals, five assists), while freshman Teska Koch has registered nine points (three goals, three assists). Sophomore Ashley Ross owns a 1.26 goals-against average and a .739 save percentage in goal. The Great Danes returned 11 letterwinners and nine starters from a 9-9 team of a year ago, one that finished third in the America East Conference with a 3-2 record.
RU is 6-12 (.333) all time against Syracuse, and 1-0 against Albany. The Orange has won its last two meetings against the Scarlet Knights, including a 5-1 decision last Sept. 16 in Syracuse. RU won its only previous meeting with the Great Danes, a 2-1 overtime game last Sept. 18 in Albany.
Rutgers will return to action Friday, Sept. 22, at Villanova at 7:0 p.m.
