PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Rutgers field hockey will host two games this weekend, as they have a double-game weekend for the first time in the 2018 campaign. The Scarlet Knights will bring a 1-0 record into games against Hofstra (Friday, 1 p.m.) and No. 18 St. Joe's (Sunday, 1 p.m.). Friday will be International Students Day, welcoming all Rutgers international students out to watch the six international students on the RU roster, while Sunday is Camper Day. Both games will feature a live stream via BTN Plus. 

The Scarlet Knights started the season last Sunday with a 3-0 shutout victory over Richmond. Rutgers controlled the pace of play throughout the game, leading 25-3 in shots and 10-1 in penalty corners. After a scoreless game through halftime, RU broke out with three second half goals, coming off the sticks of a trio of sophomores in Daphne Groothuis, Kerrie Burns and Kassidy Shetler. Groothuis also had the game's lone assist to give her the team's lead in points. Gianna Glatz, a 2018 Preseason Player to Watch and U-21 Junior National Camp invitee, recorded her fourth career shutout between the pipes.

These matchups are the second and third games in a five game homestand to open the Rutgers' year. The team will be guided in that stretch by a pair of senior captains in Linde van Schaik and Nikki Profita. The squad will also benefit from an influx of talented newcomers, with six players making their collegiate debuts versus Richmond, including two freshmen (Abby Regn and Milena Redlingshoefer) in the starting lineup.

Hofstra has begun the year at 1-1, opening the campaign at the UMass Lowell River Hawks Classic. Friday they earned a 3-2 shoutout win over VCU, but were defeated by the host UMass Lowell 6-0 on Sunday. A key player to watch is senior Madison Suave, who was named to the 2018 Preseason All-CAA team after leading the team with 10 goals last season.

The Pride were 7-12 last season. Rutgers leads the all-time series 14-2, but the teams have not played since 2003.

St. Joe's began the year with two victories, defeating Monmouth 5-1 and then winning on the road 2-1 over American. Before facing the Scarlet Knights, they will travel to Delaware to face the No. 9 Blue Hens on Friday. Tonya Botherway tallied two goals on the opening weekend, while second team All-American goalkeeper Victoria Kammerinke boasted a 1.00 goals-against average. Forward Anna Willocks returns as a two-time All-American.

St. Joe's went 18-4 last season, winning the Atlantic 10 Tournament to qualify for the NCAA Tournament for the first time. The Scarlet Knights earned a 1-0 overtime win in St. Joe's last trip to Piscataway (2016), while the Hawks revenged that with a 3-1 win in 2017. Rutgers has won 18 of the 26 matchups against St. Joe's, its most victories against any opponent.

    

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