PISCATAWAY, N.J – No. 19 Rutgers field hockey will kick-start the 2019 campaign this weekend with a pair of home games on back-to-back days. The Scarlet Knights welcome No. 24 Maine on Friday at noon before hosting Ball State on Saturday at 1 p.m. Both games will be streamed by BTN Plus. Friday's promotion will be a Midday Mayhem, with a series of giveaways, as the first 75 people will receive free ice cream. Saturday is Camper Day, and there will be a postgame clinic.

 

About the Scarlet Knights

The Scarlet Knights are looking to continue last season's success. In 2018, the program won 13 games, its most since 2008 and third most in school history. RU had five ranked wins, including two against top-ten programs. That led to an NCAA Tournament appearance for the first time since 1986 (third in program history).
 
"I think that experience last year is going to help us grow and it will teach us and help us become a better team," head coach Meredith Civico explained. "I am really excited about the team's culture and continuing to progress that with this group heading into the new season."
 
Austyn Cuneo is the team's leading returning scorer, as the Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year had six goals and 14 points. Fellow captain Alanna Gollotto set career-highs last season in goals (three), assists (four) and points (10). Gianna Glatz joined Cuneo as a preseason honoree by the league following a First Team All-Big Ten and First Team All-Region performance last season in goal, along with 2017 All-Region selection Katie Larmour, who returns to action following a medical redshirt season. The team will also feature the RU debut of eight new players, seven freshmen along with transfer Clayre Smith. A full season preview can be found here. 
 

Scouting Maine

Maine went 16-5 last season, which including four ranked wins, among them an overtime victory against Ohio State. The Black Bears were picked to finish second in the Eastern Division of the America East Conference, collecting one first place vote, and were ranked 24th in the NFHCA Coaches Poll. The team has compiled a 60-22 record over the past four years. In six lifetime meetings, the all-time series between the two teams is tied at 3-3.
 

Scouting Ball State

Ball State went 2-16 last season. Rutgers is 4-1 lifetime against the Cardinals, with the last meeting coming in 2015, a 4-0 win.


 
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