Close Up: Nicole Gentile
Nov 22 | Field Hockey
Rutgers field hockey senior Nicole Gentile felt the emotions of the thought of playing her last collegiate game with the Scarlet Knights. Her mind wandered back through the years that she had spent since picking up a stick for the first time in the seventh grade after her aunt convinced her of its appeal.
“It was seventh grade (when I started playing field hockey),” Gentile said. “My aunt played at Penn State a long time ago and told me how I’d like it. I started playing and really enjoyed it. I thought about maybe going to school for it, but it was between soccer and field hockey. When it came down to it I liked the competitiveness (of field hockey).”
Gentile spent three seasons on the Central Bucks South varsity team, recording 35 goals and 15 assists. She led the team in scoring during her sophomore and senior seasons and was named First Team All-Suburban League and First Team All-Intelligencer. In her final season she was recognized as the team’s MVP and a First Team All-State honoree, helping the team to advance to the second round of the district playoffs.
During the recruiting period, Gentile experienced something at Rutgers that no other program or school seemed to offer.
“When I came here for my official (visit), (they) were definitely a team because they had really good chemistry,” said Gentile. “I really liked the coach. Everyone was nice, friendly and welcoming and no other school was like that when I went on my official (visit).”
Upon her arrival at RU, the Jamison, Pa. native appeared in seven games during her freshman season and recorded two shots. After getting accustomed to the collegiate level, Gentile moved into the rotation in her second season, seeing action in 18 games and getting three starting nods. The sophomore notched her first goal, the game-winner against Rider.
Gentile returned for her junior campaign and exploded for a team-best 11 goals and added one assist for a team-leading 23 points on the season. The forward’s five game-winning goals helped lead the Scarlet Knights to an 8-12 mark, including a 2-4 record in BIG EAST action. Rutgers earned its first trip to the BIG EAST Tournament since 2003.
“(The BIG EAST Tournament run) kind of just happened,” Gentile said. “The chemistry we had on the front line really made the difference. I feel like everyone was one. No one was on their own. We played like a team and that made me play harder.
“(The tournament) was a new experience,” admitted Gentile. “We didn’t get in this year, but I’m glad that we went last year because it is a different feeling. I think a team needs to go there each year to have that feeling. There are no words to explain it, you just have to be there.”
While the tournament was a great experience for Gentile and her teammates, it was the Scarlet Knights’ Senior Day that stands out as the highlight of her playing career.
“(My highlight) was definitely Senior Day,” Gentile said. “It was my last time playing with the people who made my field hockey career and I will remember it forever.
“I didn’t show that I was emotional, but it didn’t hit me until I was stepping onto the field. I was like wow, this is my last time playing with these people. The girls, they became my best friends for four years and they helped me get through our difficult times.”
With the field hockey season over, Gentile will begin to focus on her future.
“I’ve been looking into a couple of internships,” the senior said. “I’m a criminal justice major but I’m not sure if that’s what I want to do, so I’ve been building my resume and trying to get my name out there.”
