PISCATAWAY, N.J – No. 17 Rutgers field hockey leaves the friendly confines of Piscataway for the first time this season, heading to Ann Arbor, Michigan for the first road trip of the year. The Big Ten Conference opener comes on Friday night, as RU takes on No. 10 Michigan at 7 p.m. That game will be live streamed on BTN Plus. On Sunday at 11 a.m., the Scarlet Knights face Longwood in a neutral site matchup.

Rutgers has begun the year at 5-0, including ranked victories over No. 18 St. Joe's and No. 6 Princeton, with the victory over the Tigers representing the highest ranked team the program has ever beaten. The squad is ranked 17^th in the nation this week, the highest ranking since 2008.

Through five games, the Scarlet Knights have allowed just two goals, outscoring opponents 16-2. Of the five wins, four have been shutouts, the most shutouts of any team in the nation. RU boasts a goals-against-average of just 0.40 per game, also leading the nation.

Sophomore goalkeeper Gianna Glatz holds a 0.43 goals-against-average and .905 save percentage, which both rank second in the nation, just mere percentage points from the lead. This week, Glatz was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week, and earned national honorable mention from the NFHCA. Freshman back Milena Redlingshoefer was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week.

Michigan, the reigning Big Ten champions and coming off an appearance in last season's NCAA Final Four, has begun this season at 3-3. All three losses have come to ranked opponents, No. 2 North Carolina, No. 14 Wake Forest, and No. 1 UConn. The team is on a two-game winning streak after consecutive overtime wins last weekend over Pacific and Monmouth. Emma Way leads them with seven goals, while Anna Spieker and Sidonie LaPlante have shared time in goal. Rutgers is looking for their first ever win against the Wolverines in a seven-game series that dates back to 1992.

"We just need to stay in the moment and stay focused," head coach Meredith Civico said. "Michigan is a very good team. We're a very good team. Our experience winning these games so far has put us in a good position. It's going to be a tight game, we need to figure out how to just play our game and keep attacking, even when the pressure is on."

Longwood, an affiliate member of the MAC, is 4-1 to begin this season, having defeated Bucknell, UC Davis, La Salle and No. 20 Liberty. Their lone loss came at No. 7 Virginia. The Lancers have allowed just five goals through five games, with Katie Wyman boasting a .848 save percentage in net. Longwood will play at Central Michigan Saturday in their conference opener before staying in-state for this neutral site matchup, the first ever meeting of the two teams.

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.