PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Rutgers heads into its inaugural weekend of Big Ten play this weekend, travelling west to take on Indiana and Iowa. The team brings a four-game winning streak and 5-2 record into the opening of conference play.

Last time out, RU had a record-setting day in a 13-0 win over Siena. The 13 goals set a program record and is the most in a NCAA game this year, as was the team's 34 points. RU got three goals from Rachel Yaney, two goals from Big Ten Freshman of the Week Katie Larmour and two tallies from Linde van Schaik. Sofia Walia had four assists, tying for most in a game in the country this season. Alyssa Bull had her fourth straight game with an assist, moving into eighth all-time at RU, and Devon Freshnock had her third straight game with one goal and one assist.

Rutgers has been spurred this season by a potent freshman class. RU has the last two Big Ten Freshman of the Week winners in Nikki Santore and Katie Larmour. Rutgers' freshman class has combined for 11 goals and six assists for a total of 28 points, as well as 10 saves and one defensive save thus far. Four different players (Santore, Larmour, Alanna Gollotto, and Amanda Lamb) have combined for 20 games started this season, with redshirt freshman Megan Cunningham (two goals) and Carlina Sacco also seeing action.

Rutgers is currently riding a four-game winning streak. That is the team's longest since winning five straight games from Sept. 29 to Oct. 12, 2013.

Head coach Meredith Civico will be going for her 40th career win at the helm of the Rutgers program. She leads her team first to Indiana, against a squad that RU earned its last Big Ten win against on Oct. 31, 2014. That win clinched Rutgers' first bid to the Big Ten Tournament and ended IU's postseason hopes. Rutgers has a 4-1-1 advantage in the all-time series against the Hoosiers, with the first IU win coming 2-0 in Bloomington last season. Rutgers' wins in 2014 and 2013 against the Hoosiers both came in dramatic fashion, with RU scoring the game-winning tallies with 2:12 and 1:14 left on the clock, respectively, by Sofia Walia and Katie Champion. Friday's game will be televised nationally on Big Ten Network, with Dean Linke and Kara Lentz on the call.

Indiana is 4-4 thus far, with all four losses coming to ranked squads. They are paced by Kate Barber, who leads the nation with 1.50 goals per game.

No. 15 Iowa enters the weekend at 6-2, and ranked No. 15 in the NFHCA Poll. RU is 0-6-1 all-time versus the Hawkeyes. Iowa is led by Natalie Cafone, who paces the team with eight goals, six assists, and 22 points. Cafone, who redshirted last season, scored twice against RU in the first-ever meeting in 2014, en route to First Team All-America Honors. Last season, RU and Iowa battled to the wire in Iowa City, with the home team claiming a 4-3 win. Sunday's game will be live streamed on BTN Plus.