RU Field Hockey Releases 2014 Schedule
Jul 02 | Field Hockey
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (July 2, 2014) – The Rutgers field hockey team announced its 2014 schedule Wednesday, revealing an 18-game slate for the Scarlet Knights’ inaugural season in the Big Ten Conference. RU will face eight teams that finished the 2013 season in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Top 25 and also take on five teams that qualified for the 2013 NCAA Tournament.
“With games against previous national champions such as Maryland, Iowa and Michigan, there's no question that Big Ten competition brings real quality to our 2014 schedule,” said head coach Meredith Long. “We have some huge challenges outside of conference play, as well. Virginia, James Madison and New Hampshire are going to be real tests. But we fear no one and I have no doubt we will compete with every team we face, no matter its history."
Rutgers is scheduled to play 12 home games at the Bauer Track and Field Complex and six road contests. The Scarlet Knights will also play a pair of scrimmages in advance of their regular season opener on Friday, Aug. 29 against Bucknell, including an exhibition matchup with Fairfield on Friday, Aug. 22 in Piscataway and a trip down Route 1 to play 2012 NCAA Champion and 2013 NCAA qualifier, Princeton, on Sunday, Aug. 24 at Bedford Field.
In addition to the Bucknell match, Rutgers’ first four contests to start the season will take place “On the Banks.” The Scarlet Knights welcome Sacred Heart on Sunday, Aug. 31 for their second game of the season and move into their second weekend with games against Temple on Friday, Sept. 5 and Lafayette on Sunday, Sept. 7.
RU’s first road trips will follow the homestand, with the team traveling to take on William & Mary on Friday, Sept. 12 and 2013 NCAA qualifier Virginia on Sunday, Sept. 14. The inaugural Big Ten season begins for Rutgers on Sunday, Sept. 21 against Iowa in Piscataway.
After a pair of Big Ten road matchups against Northwestern (Friday, Sept. 26) and Michigan (Sunday, Sept. 28), the Scarlet Knights return home to face 2013 NCAA qualifier Michigan State on Friday, Oct. 3, beginning another four-game homestand. Nonconference foe and 2013 NCAA qualifier New Hampshire (Sunday, Oct. 5) and in-state rival Monmouth (Sunday, Oct. 12) will pay a visit to Piscataway during the stretch, as well as conference opponent Ohio State on Friday, Oct. 10.
Rutgers plays its final two road contests of the year on Friday, Oct. 17 against 2013 NCAA qualifier Penn State and Sunday, Oct. 19 against fellow Big Ten newcomer and 2013 NCAA Final Four finisher Maryland. The Terrapins, who were the No. 1 overall seed in last year’s NCAA Tournament, were narrowly edged, 3-2, against No. 4 Duke for a spot in the NCAA Championship game.
From there RU closes the year with three-straight home matches: against James Madison on Sunday, Oct. 26, Indiana on Friday, Oct. 31 and UPenn on Sunday, Nov. 2.
The 2014 Big Ten Field Hockey Championship will be hosted by Michigan from Nov. 6-9 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The winner will receive an automatic bid to the 2014 NCAA Tournament, which begins on Saturday, Nov. 15 at campus locations.
Rutgers Field Hockey 2014 Schedule
|
AUGUST |
|
|
|
|
Fri., 22 |
Fairfield (Scrimmage) |
Bauer Track & Field Complex |
1 p.m. |
|
Sun., 24 |
Princeton (Scrimmage) |
Princeton, N.J. |
1 p.m. |
|
Fri., 29 |
Bucknell |
Bauer Track & Field Complex |
4 p.m. |
|
Sun., 31 |
Sacred Heart |
Bauer Track & Field Complex |
1 p.m. |
|
SEPTEMBER |
|
|
|
|
Fri., 5 |
Temple |
Bauer Track & Field Complex |
3 p.m. |
|
Sun., 7 |
Lafayette |
Bauer Track & Field Complex |
1 p.m. |
|
Fri., 12 |
William & Mary |
Williamsburg, Va. |
7 p.m. |
|
Sun., 14 |
Virginia |
Charlottesville, Va. |
Noon |
|
Sun., 21 |
Iowa* |
Bauer Track and Field Complex |
Noon |
|
Fri., 26 |
Northwestern* |
Evanston, Ill. |
4 p.m. |
|
Sun., 28 |
Michigan* |
Ann Arbor, Mich. |
2 p.m. |
|
OCTOBER |
|
|
|
|
Fri., 3 |
Michigan State* |
Bauer Track & Field Complex |
3 p.m. |
|
Sun., 5 |
New Hampshire |
Bauer Track & Field Complex |
1 p.m. |
|
Fri., 10 |
Ohio State* |
Bauer Track & Field Complex |
1 p.m. |
|
Sun., 12 |
Monmouth |
Bauer Track & Field Complex |
1 p.m. |
|
Fri., 17 |
Penn State* |
State College, Pa. |
6 p.m. |
|
Sun., 19 |
Maryland* |
College Park, Md. |
1 p.m. |
|
Sun., 26 |
James Madison |
Bauer Track & Field Complex |
2 p.m. |
|
Fri., 31 |
Indiana* |
Bauer Track & Field Complex |
1 p.m. |
|
NOVEMBER |
|
|
|
|
Sun., 2 |
UPenn |
Bauer Track & Field Complex |
1 p.m. |
|
6-9 |
Big Ten Championship |
Ann Arbor, Mich. |
TBA |
|
Sat., 15 |
NCAA First Round |
Campus Locations |
TBA |
|
Sun., 16 |
NCAA Second Round |
Campus Locations |
TBA |
|
21-23 |
NCAA Final Four |
TBA |
TBA |
Home contests denoted by bold
*Denotes Big Ten Conference matches
All matches listed in Eastern Standard Time
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersAthletics) and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding Rutgers Field Hockey, follow the program on Twitter (@RUFieldHockey) and like the program on Facebook (RU Field Hockey). Fans can receive timely information, including special offers and giveaways throughout the year on our social media outlets along with www.ScarletKnights.com.
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