Field Hockey Qualifies for NCAA Tournament
Nov 04 | Field Hockey
PISCATAWAY, N.J – For the first time since 1986, Rutgers field hockey has qualified for the NCAA Tournament. The Scarlet Knights will head to College Park, Maryland to face UConn at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, November 9. The winner of that game will face the winner of the First Round game between Maryland and Albany.
"I'm really excited," head coach Meredith Civico said. "I'm really proud of this team. I really felt like they deserved this after we had such a great season. It's really exciting that we get to keep playing. That's something this group has never felt before, so for them to be in this position, I'm really proud and excited for them. When I came in and we took over this program, the goal was to build a team that could compete for Big Ten and NCAA Championships. I'd like to think that this is now the standard. For the freshmen, this is something that becomes the norm. I'm really happy that this group of seniors was able to experience it because helped elevate this program to the next level and they deserve It because of their leadership and dedication to the team. It's really exciting to get to play in the postseason. For the team to have that experience is really important for going forward."
Rutgers compiled a 13-5 record this season, with a 4-4 mark in the Big Ten. The four conference wins was the program's most since joining the league in 2014.
RU defeated five ranked teams this season, a program record. The 1-0 win over No. 6 Princeton on September 9 was the highest ranked win in program history. The team also defeated No. 7 Iowa, No. 18 St. Joe's and won at No. 15 Northwestern and No. 19 Delaware.
Rutgers faced six teams this season that made the NCAA Tournament, winning three of those games (Princeton, St. Joe's and Iowa), while falling to Maryland, Michigan and Penn State. The Big Ten Conference has the most teams (five) in the NCAA Tournament of any league.
"It's incredible," senior co-captain Nikki Profita said. That moment, seeing our name on the screen was just so reliving, outstanding, amazing. This has been a goal of ours, and to reach it is just outstanding. For us to do this with this group, especially for me in my senior year, there's no better way to go out. As long as we can keep going, I'll be happy. We'll refocus now. We've been practicing blind this last week, not knowing who the next opponent would be. Now knowing that we got to this point, we're there. We played UConn tough in the preseason scrimmage, but so much has changed throughout the season. We've grown, they've grown. Now we just have to get after it."
The Scarlet Knights have been buoyed this season by a trio of all-conference performers. Sophomore goalkeeper Gianna Glatz, a First Team All-Big Ten selection, posted a 1.05 goals-against-average and .811 save percentage, leading Rutgers to a best in the country total of nine shutouts. Sophomore midfielder Daphne Groothuis, a First Team All-Big Ten selection, paced the team with 12 goals, 13 assists and 37 points. Senior captain Linde van Schaik was a Second Team All-Big Ten selection with seven goals and six assists for a career-high 20 points.
UConn won the BIG EAST Tournament championship Sunday to secure an automatic bid to the NCAAs. The Huskies have qualified for 16 straight NCAA Tournaments. UConn has won three NCAA Championships in the last five years. RU and UConn have squared off 31 times, with the Huskies owning a 28-2-1 record in those matchups, the last of which came in 2013.
Rutgers is making is third appearance lifetime in the NCAA Tournament, with a 2-2 all-time record. In 1984, the team defeated Penn State 3-0 in the first round before falling 5-2 to Temple in the NCAA Final Eight. In 1986, Rutgers was again one of the last eight teams remaining, defeating Penn 3-2 in its opening matchup before falling 2-0 to North Carolina.
Under head coach Meredith Civico, RU had its most wins in a season since 2008. Civico will make a return appearance to the NCAA Tournament, where as a player she led Maryland to the NCAA Final Four three times, culminating in winning the 2005 NCAA Championship.
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. For additional updates, please download the Gameday App.
"I'm really excited," head coach Meredith Civico said. "I'm really proud of this team. I really felt like they deserved this after we had such a great season. It's really exciting that we get to keep playing. That's something this group has never felt before, so for them to be in this position, I'm really proud and excited for them. When I came in and we took over this program, the goal was to build a team that could compete for Big Ten and NCAA Championships. I'd like to think that this is now the standard. For the freshmen, this is something that becomes the norm. I'm really happy that this group of seniors was able to experience it because helped elevate this program to the next level and they deserve It because of their leadership and dedication to the team. It's really exciting to get to play in the postseason. For the team to have that experience is really important for going forward."
Rutgers compiled a 13-5 record this season, with a 4-4 mark in the Big Ten. The four conference wins was the program's most since joining the league in 2014.
RU defeated five ranked teams this season, a program record. The 1-0 win over No. 6 Princeton on September 9 was the highest ranked win in program history. The team also defeated No. 7 Iowa, No. 18 St. Joe's and won at No. 15 Northwestern and No. 19 Delaware.
Rutgers faced six teams this season that made the NCAA Tournament, winning three of those games (Princeton, St. Joe's and Iowa), while falling to Maryland, Michigan and Penn State. The Big Ten Conference has the most teams (five) in the NCAA Tournament of any league.
"It's incredible," senior co-captain Nikki Profita said. That moment, seeing our name on the screen was just so reliving, outstanding, amazing. This has been a goal of ours, and to reach it is just outstanding. For us to do this with this group, especially for me in my senior year, there's no better way to go out. As long as we can keep going, I'll be happy. We'll refocus now. We've been practicing blind this last week, not knowing who the next opponent would be. Now knowing that we got to this point, we're there. We played UConn tough in the preseason scrimmage, but so much has changed throughout the season. We've grown, they've grown. Now we just have to get after it."
The moment that #RUFH found out they were heading to the NCAA Tournament... pic.twitter.com/ztYozj3NV5
— Rutgers Field Hockey (@RUFieldHockey) November 5, 2018
The Scarlet Knights have been buoyed this season by a trio of all-conference performers. Sophomore goalkeeper Gianna Glatz, a First Team All-Big Ten selection, posted a 1.05 goals-against-average and .811 save percentage, leading Rutgers to a best in the country total of nine shutouts. Sophomore midfielder Daphne Groothuis, a First Team All-Big Ten selection, paced the team with 12 goals, 13 assists and 37 points. Senior captain Linde van Schaik was a Second Team All-Big Ten selection with seven goals and six assists for a career-high 20 points.
UConn won the BIG EAST Tournament championship Sunday to secure an automatic bid to the NCAAs. The Huskies have qualified for 16 straight NCAA Tournaments. UConn has won three NCAA Championships in the last five years. RU and UConn have squared off 31 times, with the Huskies owning a 28-2-1 record in those matchups, the last of which came in 2013.
Rutgers is making is third appearance lifetime in the NCAA Tournament, with a 2-2 all-time record. In 1984, the team defeated Penn State 3-0 in the first round before falling 5-2 to Temple in the NCAA Final Eight. In 1986, Rutgers was again one of the last eight teams remaining, defeating Penn 3-2 in its opening matchup before falling 2-0 to North Carolina.
Under head coach Meredith Civico, RU had its most wins in a season since 2008. Civico will make a return appearance to the NCAA Tournament, where as a player she led Maryland to the NCAA Final Four three times, culminating in winning the 2005 NCAA Championship.
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. For additional updates, please download the Gameday App.
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