FH hosts OSU, at Monmouth this weekend
Oct 08 | Field Hockey
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Rutgers got back on the winning track on Sunday, downing New Hampshire 2-1. The win gives the Scarlet Knights momentum leading in to an important weekend series that starts with a crucial conference game against Ohio State. Both teams will be looking for their first Big Ten win of the season in Friday's game, which will be televised on BTN Plus. Friday is also Middle School Appreciation Day. Sunday RU will begin three consecutive games on the road when they travel to face Monmouth.
GAME NOTES
Friday, Oct. 10 - Piscataway, N.J., 1 p.m. ET
Rutgers (5-6, 0-4) vs. Ohio State (4-7, 0-3)
BTN Plus
Sunday, Oct. 12 - West Long Branch, N.J., 1 p.m. ET
Rutgers (5-6, 0-4) vs. Monmouth (5-6, 0-0)
Monmouth Digital Network
Live Stats
Ohio State Notes
- The Buckeyes enter the game at 4-7, fresh off a 4-3 overtime victory over then No. 3 Virginia on Sunday. The Scarlet Knights previously took the Cavaliers to OT earlier this year. OSU's other wins came over Miami (Ohio), Appalachian State, and Ball State.
- Head Coach Anne Wilkinson enters her 19th season at the helm for the Buckeyes.
- Maddy Humphrey leads OSU with 23 points (eight goals, seven assists), while Peanut Johnson is second with 20 points (five goals, 10 assists).
- Liz Tamburro has started every game in net with a 3.19 goals against average and .703 save percentage.
Series History
This is will be the 4th all-time meeting between the Scarlet Knight and Buckeyes, and the first encounters since a 2-0 OSU win in 1996. Rutgers only win against Ohio State was a 1-0 victory in 1988.
Monmouth Notes
- The Hawks enter the weekend at 5-6, winning three of their last five games. They have two mutual opponents in common with Rutgers, taking losses to Lafayette (3-1) and Michigan State (4-3 in OT).
- Carli Figlio is in her 8th season as the Head Coach.
- Trish O'Dwyer leads the team with eight goals and six assists for 22 points. Meg Donahue is second on the team with five goals.
- In goal three different players has received starts, with Christen Piersanti leading the team with seven starts and a 4-4 record, with a 2.34 GAA and .700 save percentage.
- Monmouth swept the MAAC Weekly Awards, with Trish O'Dwyer (Offensive), Christen Piersanti (Defensive) and Meg Donahue (Rookie) all winning Player of the Week honors.
Series History
The lifetime series between the two schools is tied at 3-3. Rutgers has one the last two meetings, including a 4-3 victory in overtime last year. In that game, Rachel Yaney scored twice, including the OT winner, while Sophie Wright and Katie Champion also scored.
Heart of a Champion
Katie Champion currently paces the Scarlet Knights, with a team-high seven goals and 18 assists. She is also second on the squad with four assists. The junior has shown a knack for scoring in bunches, with three multi-goal games this year.
Walli, Walli, Walia
Sophomore defender Sofia Walia is a vital player for the Scarlet Knights on both ends of the field. In addition to her role in the backfield, she has shown a scoring touch. In eight games this year she has five goals and 15 points, both second on the team, with a team-best five assists.
O' Captain, My Captain
Rutgers' three captains (Sophie Wright, Jenn Staab, and Alyssa Bull) were all recognized as Preseason Players to Watch by the Big Ten Conference, and have been key players on and off the field. Their contributions go beyond the scoresheet (where Wright has two goals and two assists and Bull has a goal and an assist). All three play a large share of the minutes and are key to the team's play.
Between the Pipes
Shevaun Hayes has started all 11 RU games in goal, playing over 802 minutes in the cage and posting a 5-6 record, with a 2.44 goals against average and .702 save percentage. The five wins on the year represent a new career high. She averages 6.00 saves per game with 66 on the year, the third best mark in the Big Ten, and is now over 100 saves for her career.
Around the B1G
The Big Ten is one of the toughest conferences in the nation. Of the nine field hockey schools in the Big Ten, seven of them are ranked in the NFHCA Top 20, including four in the top 10: Maryland (2), Penn State (4), Northwestern (8), Iowa (10), Michigan (14), Indiana (18) and Michigan State (20)
RPI
The third edition of the NCAA field hockey RPI of the season is now available. Rutgers checks in at 25, which is the highest of any team with a record below .500.
Rutgers in the Big Ten
Amongst Big Ten competition, RU is:
- First in defensive saves (6)
- Third in saves (72)
- Third in saves/game (6.00)
Rutgers in the NCAA Stats
Amongst the nations' leaders, RU is:
- Eighth in defensive saves (6)
- 19th in saves/game (6.55)
- 33rd in save percentage (.720)
- Shevaun Hayes is 19th in the nation in saves/game (6.00).
What to Watch for
- Jenn Staab's next point will tie her career-high.
- Ali Stever's next assist will set a new career-high.
B1G Year
This year is the inaugural season for Rutgers as a member of the Big Ten Conference. The Scarlet Knights had previously played in the BIG EAST since the 1995 season, after playing the sport in the Atlantic 10 from 1988-1995.
Social Media
Follow the Rutgers Field Hockey Program on Twitter (@RUFieldHockey), Facebook (RutgersFieldHockey) and Instagram (@rutgersfieldhockey) for the latest updates on the team.
