Field Hockey Season Review
Dec 07 | Field Hockey
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - The Rutgers field hockey program enjoyed a successful 2016 campaign. The team earned nine wins, including the highest ranked victory in program history, and qualified for the Big Ten Tournament for the second time.
"Overall, we were happy with our progression throughout the season", head coach Meredith Civico said. "We focused a lot on developing the team on the field and off the field, and that was really led by the upperclassmen. The freshmen did a great job coming in, and integrating right with the team. That made a big difference on the field."
The Scarlet Knights had a strong eight-member senior class this season full of key contributors. The lineup featured many senior starters, a number of whom had their best seasons in their final year "On the Banks".
Scarlet Knight Seniors
Elyse Broderick - Starter at left midfield, tied career-best with two assists and had a defensive save in the Big Ten Tournament vs. Maryland.
Alyssa Bull - Third season as a captain, starter at midfield, four goals, six assists (14 points), finishing seventh all-time at RU in career assists (20) and was named Second Team All-Big Ten.
Devon Freshnock - Started all 18 games at back, and set career-highs in goals (six), assists (six) and points (18). Was named to Big Ten All-Tournament Team.
Shevaun Hayes - Started nine games with a 1.69 goals-against-average, .756 save percentage, five wins and one shutout.
Kimberly Jevic - Had a career year with four goals and nine points, including the game-winning goal against Ohio State.
Sarah Regn - Started 16 games, setting career-best with five goals and three assists for 13 points.
Sofia Walia - Started all 18 games at back, and scored three goals and added a career-high seven assists for 13 points. She finished 8th all-time at RU in career assists (19).
Rachel Yaney - Scored a career-best seven goals and added four assists for career-high 18 goals. She finished her career seventh all-time at Rutgers with 22 goals.
"They're a special class, they were my first recruiting class here," Civico explained. "It was kind of a full circle moment for that group. They've established a culture, and they're leaving a legacy. I think it's going to be really easy to continue the progress they've made. We are going to miss them tremendously, but we are really excited to keep that momentum going into next season, and to have this new group of players come in and add a new layer, a new element, to what we've already built."
The biggest win for the Scarlet Knights this season was a 2-1 victory at No. 15 Iowa on September 25. The victory was the Scarlet Knights first win over a ranked opponent since October of 2013 and the highest ranked foe ever defeated. Linde van Schaik, who led RU with nine goals on the season, scored twice in that game.
"Our win against Iowa was a highlight from early on in the season," Civico said. "I thought that set the tone for the team going into Big Ten play just realizing that they can compete and beat anyone. I thought they played a really tough, full 70-minute game."
Other notable moments included an overtime win against Saint Joseph's, a Big Ten road win at Ohio State and a program-record tying 13 goals against Siena.
"I would say our overtime win against Saint Joe's was a real team effort, and to win in overtime the way we did, just on an excellent finish by Alyssa Bull was definitely a highlight of the season. Another highlight was our game away, against Ohio State. That win secured the tournament for us, I thought the team played a very composed game against Ohio State, they controlled the game, for once, so it was really good to see that come together."
Rutgers will return a host of young players that have already made a big impact early in their careers. The Scarlet Knights return their two top scorers in freshman Nikki Santore (nine goals, four assists, 22 points) and sophomore Linde van Schaik (eight goals, three assists 19 points). Santore was the first RU freshman since 2006 to reach at least six goals and 20 points, and was named Big Ten Offensive Player and Freshman of the Week after an eight-point game (three goals, two assists) in a win over Ohio. Linde van Schaik, a sophomore who was named All-Region for the second straight season (First Team) scored eight goals and totaled 19 points for 26 career points in 36 games.
Along with Santore, RU saw three other freshmen establish places in the starting lineup in their first season. Midfielder Katie Larmour started all 18 games in the center midfield, scoring five goals with three assists for 13 points, and earning Second Team All-Region honors. She was also named Big Ten Freshman of the Week after her first two-goal game in the win over Siena. Classmate Alanna Gollotto locked down a spot in the backline, making 17 starts and picking up a defensive save, and goalkeeper Amanda Lamb made nine starts between the pipes, with a 2.50 goals-against-average and .594 save percentage.
The team also continued to excel in the classroom. 12 student-athletes were named to the Academic All-Big Ten Team.
"Next season, we are going to be a young team, but I really have a lot of belief in their ability," Civico said. "We've got some really good field hockey players on this team right now. We've got to give them that experience through the spring, and get them ready to step up and lead the team in the fall. We have a lot of players capable of stepping up and being leaders, which is going to be a big part of our team development in the spring. I think we have a lot of really talented players returning that I'm excited about".
Team Awards
MVP: Alyssa Bull
Offensive Player of the Year: Linde van Schaik
Defensive Player of the Year: Devon Freshnock
P.R.I.D.E. Award: Kimberly Jevic
Jeffrey Berrest Award: Rachel Yaney
Scholar-Athlete Award: Sarah Regn
Unsung Hero Award: Elyse Broderick
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 Facebook. Fans can receive timely information, including special offers and giveaways throughout the year on our social media outlets along with www.ScarletKnights.com.
