PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers field hockey opens the 2017 campaign this weekend with optimistic expectations for its fourth season as Big Ten members. The Scarlet Knights will feature an influx of young talent mixed with strong upperclassmen leadership.

Last season, RU won nine games, including its highest ranked victory in program history with a 2-1 defeat of No. 15 Iowa. The squad qualified for the Big Ten Tournament for the second time in the past three years. The team graduated eight seniors from last season, which included six starters. RU balances that with a talented class of eight newcomers, six freshmen and two transfers.

The Scarlet Knights will compete against an elite schedule. Big Ten play features five ranked teams in the preseason poll, two of which sit in the top-seven in No. 6 Maryland and No. 7 Penn State. RU also faces No. 5 Syracuse, No. 8 Princeton, No. 13 Princeton and No. 23 Old Dominion in nonconference play for a total of nine ranked foes, four of them in the top-10 preseason.

"Preseason training has been really competitive," head coach Meredith Civico said. "We have a lot of different players that can play anywhere, we are going to have a lot of versatility this season. We have a lot of people that can contribute, which is going to make us a better team."

This season's team will be captained by seniors Simrin Dhillon and Haley Meade, alongside junior Linde van Schaik. The senior duo represents two of a five-member senior class which also includes Jade Dixon, Katie Belilin and Jess Carey.

Rutgers returns its top two leading scorers from last season – sophomore Nikki Santore (nine goals, 22 points) and van Schaik (eight goals, 19 points). Van Schaik was a First Team All-Region selection last season, while midfielder Katie Larmour (five goals, 13 points as a freshman last season) was a Second Team All-Region selection. Megan Cunningham who could be utilized at midfield or forward, had two goals last season as a redshirt freshman, while junior Nikki Profita will see time up front. 

With multi-year starters Devon Freshnock and Sofia Walia graduating, Big Ten Preseason Honoree Alanna Gollotto is the lone returning starter among the backline. The sophomore started all 17 games she was active in as a freshman last season.

Between the pipes, Amanda Lamb returns after starting the majority of games as a freshman last season, posting a 2.50 goals-against-average and .594 save percentage. She will be pushed by freshman Gianna Glatz from Medford, N.J. 

The incoming class of newcomers features six freshmen and two transfers (Austyn Cuneo from UNC and Emily Howarth, who started her collegiate career at New Hampshire). In addition to Glatz, freshmen Daphne Groothuis, Gianna Mancini, Kassidy Shetler, Kerrie Burns, and Gracey Butsack bring the ability to contribute at multiple positions, and will look to make an immediate impact.

"I don't think I've been as excited for a freshman group as I am for these," Civico said. "They all bring something different that will help the team succeed. With such a young team it was always going to be a fresh start for the group. I'm quietly optimistic about the team and what they can achieve."

Rutgers will also debut a new set of assistant coaches this season. The Scarlet Knights hired Ajai Dhadwal, the captain of the U.S. Men's National Team, as an assistant coach. Maddy Sposito, in her third season with the program, was promoted to assistant coach, while Joey Civico joins the staff as a volunteer assistant coach.

The Scarlet Knights begin their 2017 campaign on August 25 at 1 p.m., hosting Kent State. RU also welcomes Towson that weekend for a 1 p.m. Saturday game.