Field Hockey Takes First Road Trip
Sep 10 | Field Hockey
Friday, Sept. 12 - Williamsburg, Va., 7 p.m. ET
Rutgers (3-1) vs. William & Mary (1-3)
Sunday, Sept. 14 - Charlottesville, Va., Noon ET
Rutgers (3-1) vs. No. 9 Virginia (3-2)
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (Sept. 10, 2014) - The Rutgers field hockey team compiled a 1-1 record, rebounding from a Sept. 5 loss to Temple with a 2-1 victory over Lafayette on Sept. 7. The Scarlet Knights now sit 3-1 on the year, the best start to a season since the 2008 team began the year 6-0.
This weekend the squad will take it first road trip of the year, travelling south for two games at William and Mary (Friday) and the University of Virginia (Sunday). The trip contains the first two of seven total road games the Scarlet Knights will play this year. On Friday RU will play its only night game of the season, taking on the Tribe at 7 p.m., and then they will face the first ranked opponent of the year in the No. 9 Cavaliers.
Scouting William and Mary
- The Tribe has opened the season at 1-3, with the lone win over Central Michigan, and losses to No. 17 Michigan, Richmond, and No. 6 Virginia.
- Head Coach Tess Ellis is in her second season after an 8-11 debut that saw her named CAA co-Coach of the Year.
- Peyton Smith leads the team with two goals, with the rest of the team combining to just score one goal.
- William & Mary has been outscored 14-3 through four games.
Series History
The Tribe lead the all-time series between the squads 5-3, currently holding a five-game winning streak since RU took the first three matchups contested. The last meeting was in 2011, a 2-1 William and Mary victory.
Scouting Virginia
- Virginia has started the season 3-2. Its two losses both came to Big Ten foes (Iowa and Penn State).
- The Cavaliers are currently ranked No. 9 in the nation, falling three spots this week from their preseason ranking of No. 6.
- Sophomore Riley Tata leads the team with five goals and two assists for 12 points, while Lucy Hyams and Caleigh Fouse each have four goals.
- UVA is third in the NCAA with 4.50 goals per game, 13.0 points per game, a 4.50 scoring average and fourth with 4.0 assists per game.
Series History
These two squads have met just once previously, a 2-1 Cavaliers win in Charlottesville on Oct. 6, 2007.
Imbriacco on a Roll
After a breakthrough weekend, junior Nicole Imbriacco has shot to the top of the team leaders in goal scoring. Imbriacco scored just two goals in 26 games during her first two years as a Scarlet Knight. This season, she tallied her first goal of the season in the opener, and then last weekend she scored in each game. It was the first time in her career she tallied goals in consecutive games, and she now paces the team with three goals on the year.
Freshnock on the Board
Sophomore Devon Freshnock is a valued member of the defense, starting 17 of 18 games in her rookie season and the first four games this season. Up until Sunday her only point output was an assist in her freshman year. Against Lafayette she crashed the net and scored her first career goal to push Rutgers' lead to 2-0, a crucial goal in the 2-1 win.
Staab, Yaney Return
The Scarlet Knights got a lift last weekend when senior midfielder Jenn Staab and sophomore Rachel Yaney each returned to the lineup after missing the opening weekend due to injury. Staab, a team captain, was a starter in the midfield, while Yaney, who scored five goals in 2013, saw action off the bench.
Between the Pipes
Shevaun Hayes has started all four RU games in goal, playing 285 minutes in the cage and posting a 3-1 record, with a 2.94 goals against average and .647 save percentage.
Rutgers in the NCAA Stats
The first edition of the NCAA statistics leader is available and RU has a number of representatives. Sofia Walia is tied for sixth in the country with 1.25 assists per game. She is also one of just 12 players with a three-assist game this season. The team is tied for 13th with its 0.750 winning percentage and 19th in assists per game (2.25).
Rutgers in the Big Ten
Amongst Big Ten competition, RU is tied for third in goals scored (11), Sofia Walia is second is assists per game (1.25) and tied for seventh in points per game (1.75).
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.
B1G Players to Watch
Rutgers' three captains (Sophie Wright, Jenn Staab, and Alyssa Bull) were all recognized as Preseason Players to Watch by the Big Ten Conference. Wright had19 points last year and was recognized as Second Team All-BIG EAST. Staab has been a fixture for RU, starting 53 of 55 games in her career. Bull, the BIG EAST Rookie of the Year in 2012, redshirted the 2013 season.
Challenging Schedule
The Scarlet Knights face seven teams that are currently in the NFHCA Top 20, and five that made the NCAA Tournament last season (Virginia, New Hampshire, Michigan State, Penn State, and Maryland). The squad plays 18 regular season games, including 11 at home and seven on the road.
