Rutgers Field Hockey 2011 Season Recap
Nov 02 | Field Hockey
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (November 2, 2011) - The Rutgers field hockey team completed its season this past weekend, missing out on a chance for back-to-back BIG EAST Tournament appearances for the first time since 2000-01. The Scarlet Knights registered a 5-13 overall record in the midst of battling six nationally ranked opponents throughout the 2011 campaign.
RU posted a 2-4 mark in BIG EAST action, defeating Georgetown 3-2 on a last minute goal by Nicole Gentile (Jamison, Pa.) and Providence 3-1, despite a 30 minute weather delay. Gentile earned a spot on the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll - one of four players on the season to receive the recognition - following her performance against the Hoyas.
Gia Nappi (Fairfield, N.J.) wrapped up her sophomore campaign as the team's leading scorer (six) and point-getter (17). In her first two seasons with the Scarlet Knights, Nappi has a combined 11 goals and ten assists - ranking highest among any RU returner next season.
Carlie Rouh (Berlin, N.J.) garnered a breakout season, totaling five goals (second on the team), five assists (tied for first on the team) and on a team-high 47 shots during her junior campaign. Rouh - who had amassed two goals and five assists in her first two seasons - came on strong in the middle of the season, recording 11 points in eight games.
The Scarlet Knights ended the season with nine players tallying goals, six of which will return next season, including Danielle Freshnock (Middletown, N.J.) who will return at forward for her junior campaign. Freshnock notched her first collegiate goal in the season-opener against James Madison and added the game-winner versus Bucknell in the opening two minutes of the contest.
Also increasing their offensive presence this season were juniors Chelsea Rota (Langhorne, Pa.) and Cornelia Duffin (Moorestown, N.J.). Rota tabbed three goals on nine shots, while Duffin chipped in a pair of goals, including her first in a Scarlet Knights uniform at Columbia.
Rutgers again saw improvements on its defensive end, thanks in large part to the experience and chemistry of its backline. In three seasons the Scarlet Knights have trimmed down their goal allowance from 73 in 2009 to 46 in 2011.
Goalkeeper Sarah Stuby (Roxbury, N.J.) started all 18 games in the cage this season. She stopped 81 shots during her second year of action and recorded a shutout victory against Cornell.
The Scarlet Knights will bid farewell to seniors; Mackenzie Noda (Allentown, Pa.), Christie Morad (Marlton, N.J.), Amanda Sawasky (Lawrence, N.J.), Nicole Gentile (Jamison, Pa.), Kat Rodziewicz (Ocean, N.J.), Kristen Higa (La Verne, Calif.) and Bridgette Sands (Glassboro, N.J.). Collectively the group helped Rutgers to a 14-win season in 2008 - the most victories in a season since 1997 - and last year guided RU to its first trip to the BIG EAST Tournament since 2003.
"This season we had great team chemistry and fought together on the field," head coach Liz Tchou said. "I'm disappointed we weren't able to create more wins and make it to the BIG EAST Tournament, because this group expected that this year. It is something that we are disappointed in as a whole, but the girls continued to stay positive throughout the year."
Next season Rutgers will return 13 letterwinners and seven starters from its 2011 roster.
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