Field Hockey Season Review
Nov 12 | Field Hockey
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (Nov. 12, 2014) -In its first season as a member of the Big Ten Conference, Rutgers field hockey made big strides, qualifying for postseason play for the first time since 2010 and finishing with a 9-10 record that included two victories over Big Ten Conference foes.
The Scarlet Knights won nine games for the third consecutive season under head coach Meredith Long while facing a challenging overall schedule. Competition in the Big Ten was fierce, with at least six teams ranked in the NFHCA Top 20 on a weekly basis. In 2014, the Scarlet Knights faced four teams that earned bids to the NCAA Tournament, and seven teams that ended the season ranked in the top 20.
The Scarlet Knights opened and closed the year strong, winning four of their first five games and closing the regular season with three consecutive wins. They stoutly defended home turf, with an 8-3 home mark. Rutgers earned its first ever Big Ten win with a 3-2 victory over Ohio State on October 10, and then beat Indiana 2-1 on October 31 to clinch its first trip to the Big Ten Conference Tournament.
"We've done a lot of incredible things in a very short amount of time with such a young team," head coach Meredith Long said. "Where we are with such a young group in the Big Ten and to be legitimately competing with the top teams in the conference and the country is exciting. It says a lot about our program and where we are heading."
Katie Champion (Egg Harbor, N.J.) led the team in scoring, notching a team-best 10 goals and 26 points, to go with six assists. Three of the junior's goals were game-winners, the most on the team. Champion led a forward line that included junior Nicole Imbriaco (Clark, N.J.), who was third on the team with five goals, sophomore Rachel Yaney (Bridgewater, N.J.), who tallied four goals, and sophomore Jasmine Cole (Montclair, N.J.), who had two goals and four assists.
The midfield was buoyed by the team's three captains: seniors Sophie Wright (Devizes, United Kingdom) and Jenn Staab (Marmora, N.J.), and redshirt sophomore Alyssa Bull (Oakville, Ontario). Wright scored three goals and added three assists, finishing her career with 18 total goals. Staab was named the team's Big Ten Sportsmanship Award winner, and was a member of the Big Ten All-Tournament Team. Bull returned from missing the 2013 season with an injury to make 18 starts and score two goals and add two assists. Junior Ali Stever (Ocean City, N.J.) also made 18 starts at midfield with two assists.
On defense, the Scarlet Knights were led by sophomore Sofia Walia (Surrey, British Columbia), who was a force on the offensive and defensive ends. In addition to her sound play at center back she posted seven goals, six assists and 20 points en route to being named Second Team All-Big Ten Conference. Alongside her, sophomores Elyse Broderick (Manahawkin, N.J.) and Devon Freshnock (Middletown, N.J.) started all 19 games on `D'.
Behind them, sophomore goalkeeper Shevaun Hayes (Melbourne, Australia) became the full-time starter, playing every minute between the pipes. Hayes made 103 saves and recorded a 2.31 GAA and .696 save percentage, with a shutout of Penn in the season finale.
Next season Rutgers will return 12 players with starting experience. Despite the graduation of Wright and Staab, RU will return 91 percent of its scoring. With a young team in 2014 already making headway for success, the future is bright for Rutgers field hockey.
"To return so many starters for next season is huge for us," Long said. "The players coming in will hopefully make an immediate impact as well. Winning games and competing in games while contending for a championship in year three has been incredible. I'm proud of our progress and excited for the future."
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook ( www.facebook.com/RutgersAthletics ) and Twitter ( www.twitter.com/RUAthletics ) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding Rutgers field hockey, follow the program on Facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/RUFieldHockey ), Twitter (@RUFieldHockey ) and Instagram ( @rutgersfieldhockey ). Fans can receive timely information, including special offers and giveaways throughout the year on both social media outlets along with www.ScarletKnights.com .
