Final Stats | Photo Gallery

PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Rutgers field hockey got the season off to a winning start on Friday afternoon, grabbing a well-earned 3-1 victory from Bucknell in the season opener. Three of RU's key returners scored, as Nicole Imbriaco, Rachel Yaney and Ali Stever scored on the day to pace the Scarlet Knights.

"We did a good job creating opportunities," head coach Meredith Civico said. "We finished really strong. The team fought so hard, even when mistakes were made, everybody was recovering and had each other's backs, so that was great to see."

After 20 minutes of even action to start the game, Rutgers scored a goal on a chaotic play. After a collision between two Rutgers players in front of the cage left the goaltender out of position, senior Nicole Imbriaco collected the ball on the outside and finished to the first goal of the season.

Bucknell had a quick response however. After a penalty corner, preseason all-conference player Anna Wills scored to even the score just over a minute after the RU goal.

Rutgers re-collected the momentum, and set up a play to retake the lead. It was junior Rachel Yaney who had the finish at the back post off an assist from Simrin Dhillon to score the game-winning goal.

"That was an incredible response," Civico said." To score, then to have the other team come back, then us respond again, is a really good sign in this stage in the season. Rachel Yaney had a great game individually. We worked so much on that back post finish that Rachel did. To see that happen and a goal come of that made us happy as a group."

The Scarlet Knights held that one-goal lead late into the contest before adding an insurance goal. Senior captain Ali Stever tallied in the final minutes of the game to give RU the 3-1 winning margin.

Shevaun Hayes made five saves for Rutgers to earn the victory. Rutgers outshot Bucknell 15-11, including a 10-4 edge in the second half.

The Scarlet Knights will have a quick turnaround before their next game, playing again at noon on Saturday.

"We're immediately focusing on recovery and rest," Civico explained. "We'll make the important adjustments from this game. But I loved the energy, I loved the fight, I loved the passion. We're really on the right track with those pieces."

Game Notes

• Rutgers opened the season with a victory over Bucknell for the second straight season.
• Freshman Linde van Schaik received a start in her collegiate debut.
• Senior Carley Hawkins started her first game since Sept. 27, 2013.
• Freshmen van Schaik, Kelly Hanna, Caitlin Nitschmann and Nikki Profita made their collegiate debut.
• Sarah Regn had the first assist of her career on the game's first goal.
• Simirin Dhillon's assist was her first career helper.
• Devon Freshnock had a career-high three shots.