Photo by: Ben Solomon
Field Hockey Welcomes Newcomers
May 18 | Field Hockey
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Rutgers field hockey has announced the addition of seven new players to the roster as the Scarlet Knights welcome Sophia Howard, Lauren Kokoskie, Bridget Molyneaux, Paulina Niklaus, Elise Pettisani, Elizabeth Romano and Liz-Elaine Stange to the program. Howard and Romano enrolled in Rutgers for the spring semester, while the other five newest Scarlet Knights will begin as freshmen this fall.
"We are very excited to welcome this incoming group of student-athletes to Rutgers," head coach Meredith Civico said. "They are all well-rounded, talented hockey players, and young women who will no doubt have an immediate impact on our Scarlet Knight family."
Sophia Howard
Auckland, New Zealand / St. Cuthbert's College
Goalkeeper
Prior to Rutgers: Member of the Junior Blacksticks Squad from 2015-2018 … participated in STCC 1st XI 2016-2018 … Fed Cup Winners 2017 … Southern Districts Premier Team 2016-2019 … represented Auckland U15A, U18, and U21 team in international competitions … placed third with the Auckland NHL team in 2017 … co-captain of Auckland U18 team in 2017 … NCEA Level 1, 2, and 3 Merit Endorsements … St. Cuthbert's College Varsity Letter Field Hockey 2015-2018 … named Most Outstanding Goalkeeper for Southern Districts Hockey Club 2018 … parents are Lisa and Tim Howard … has one younger sibling, Ben … also played on the St. Cuthbert's B Netball Team 2014.
Coach Civico on Howard: "Sophia has excellent experience as a goalkeeper, playing at a very high level in her home country of New Zealand. She is a very mature, composed person and this translates into her goalkeeping. Having been with us for our shortened spring season, we already know what a positive impact her calmness and self-belief has on the team in front of her."
Lauren Kokoskie
Glen Gardner, N.J. / Voorhees HS
Back
Prior to Rutgers: Recorded 16 goals and 22 assists as a four-year varsity starter … team captain as a senior … as a senior, named First Team All-County and First Team All-Conference, Lehigh Valley Live All-Area First Team, Max Field Hockey All-New Jersey Region Second Team and named to all-star game … as a junior, named First Team All-Conference, First Team All-Country, Third Team All-North Jersey, Lehigh Valley Live Honorable Mention … NJ.com Top Defender to Watch … as a sophomore, named First Team All-County, Second Team All-Conference and Lehigh Valley Live Honorable Mention … team was conference champions as a freshman … parents are Tami and Doug … father played football at Rutgers … has older brother, Kyle, who plays basketball at Elmira College … member of National Honor Society and Honor Societies for World Language, English and Science
Coach Civico on Kokoskie: "Lauren is a powerful defender with an absolute determination to succeed. She is strong and able of moving the ball at speed. We look forward to seeing her contribution over her time at Rutgers."
Bridy Molyneaux
Forward
Fair Haven, N.J. / Lawrenceville
Prior to Rutgers: Played four seasons at Rumson Fair Haven, scoring 86 goals and 57 assists from 2015-18 … spent postgraduate year at Lawrenceville in 2019, scoring 15 goals and adding five assists … three-time First Team All-Shore … named First Team All-State in 2018 and First Team All-Prep League in 2019 … named a Top 50 player by Max Field Hockey … on NFHCA National Academic Squad in 2017 and 2018 … led RFH to four Shore Conference Championships and two NJ Sectional Championships … earned fan vote for Shore Conference Player of the Year … also competed in outdoor track and field … Junior Olympian in field hockey and swimming … played field hockey in Holland in 2018 and 2019 summers … parents are Mark and Kathleen … has two sisters, MaryRose and Elle … MaryRose played field hockey at Penn
Coach Civico on Molyneaux: "Bridy is a creative and energetic forward who is capable of the unpredictable. She is as quick going forward as she is tracking back to defend and that is just what we want from our attacking players."
Paulina Niklaus
Midfield
Mannheim, Germany / Ludwig Frank Gymnasium
Prior to Rutgers: Played with Mannheimer HC and the German Junior National Team … began playing field hockey at four years old … moved from Munich to Manheim at age 16 … parents are Carmen and Thomas Niklaus … has an older sister, Anna
Coach Civico on Niklaus: "Paulina Niklaus brings tremendous experience as a midfielder playing for Mannheimer hockey Club as well as the Germany Junior National Team. Creative and with an eye for a forward pass, we are excited to integrate her into the team."
Elise Pettisani
Medford, N.J. / Eastern Regional
Back
Prior to Rutgers: Four-year varsity starter and team captain as a senior as team won four state championships and won Tournament of Champions … scored 26 career goals and added 24 career assists … named First Team All-Conference, First Team All-South Jersey, First Team All-Group IV, First Team All-State, First Team All-Region and Second Team All-American … was on Max Field Hockey All-New Jersey Region First Team and Max Field Hockey High School National Invitational Second Team … played in Senior All-Star Game … named All-Conference in 2018 … U-16 JPOL New Jersey Region Most Valuable Player … also played lacrosse in high school … parents are Frank and Kathleen … has an older sister, Alexis … had five family members to play collegiate sports, including sister (field hockey, BU), uncle (wrestling, Drexel), uncle (basketball, Kean), cousin (lacrosse, Cincinnati), and cousin that plays lacrosse at Gettysburg College
Coach Civico on Pettisani: "Elise is technically strong defensive player and a natural leader. A standout at Eastern High School in New Jersey, she brings a winning mentality and a focus on being the best she can be. She is also capable of scoring goals, especially on penalty corners."
Elizabeth Romano
New Vernon, NJ / Madison High School
Midfield / Forward
Prior to Rutgers: Spent two seasons at UConn, joining the Scarlet Knights for her junior season … played in 24 games, scoring two goals, tallying against Georgetown and Quinnipiac as a freshman in 2018
High School: Played four seasons at Madison High School ... led Madison to state titles in 2015 and appearances in the finals in both 2016 and 2017 ... First Team All-Conference all four seasons ... 2017 NJAC Player of the Year ... MAX Field Hockey Top 10 performer ... scored 45 goals and had 28 assists her senior season ... three-time First Team All-State member ... 2016 Daily Record, Mugs Media and NJAC Player of the Year ... contributed 36 goals and 10 assists during her junior season and finished her high school career with 129 goals and 67 assists ... four-time All-North Jersey First Team selection ... two-time Academic All-American (2016 & '17 … parents are Pat and LuAnn Romano … has one older sister, Christa, who played field hockey at Quinnipiac … intends to major in Exercise Science.
Coach Civico on Romano: "Liz transferred to RU this winter and we couldn't be more thrilled that she is a Scarlet Knight. She is a skilled, experienced player who, thanks to her technical ability, can play a variety of positions. Already, Liz has had an impact on our program, and I expect that to continue over her two years at Rutgers."
Liz-Elaine Stange
Forward
Hamburg, Germany / Carl-Von-Ossietzky Gymnasium
Prior to Rutgers: Played with UHC Hamburg and Uhlenhorster club team … competed at the 2019 Euro Hockey Club Cup … began playing field hockey at four years old … parents are Maik and Martina Stange … had an older brother, Louis
Coach Civico on Stange: "Liz is a fast and dynamic forward who is natural goal scorer. She plays for Uhlenhorster, a top club in Germany and, playing alongside Paulina, she has also represented her country at the junior level."
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.
"We are very excited to welcome this incoming group of student-athletes to Rutgers," head coach Meredith Civico said. "They are all well-rounded, talented hockey players, and young women who will no doubt have an immediate impact on our Scarlet Knight family."
Sophia Howard
Auckland, New Zealand / St. Cuthbert's College
Goalkeeper
Prior to Rutgers: Member of the Junior Blacksticks Squad from 2015-2018 … participated in STCC 1st XI 2016-2018 … Fed Cup Winners 2017 … Southern Districts Premier Team 2016-2019 … represented Auckland U15A, U18, and U21 team in international competitions … placed third with the Auckland NHL team in 2017 … co-captain of Auckland U18 team in 2017 … NCEA Level 1, 2, and 3 Merit Endorsements … St. Cuthbert's College Varsity Letter Field Hockey 2015-2018 … named Most Outstanding Goalkeeper for Southern Districts Hockey Club 2018 … parents are Lisa and Tim Howard … has one younger sibling, Ben … also played on the St. Cuthbert's B Netball Team 2014.
Coach Civico on Howard: "Sophia has excellent experience as a goalkeeper, playing at a very high level in her home country of New Zealand. She is a very mature, composed person and this translates into her goalkeeping. Having been with us for our shortened spring season, we already know what a positive impact her calmness and self-belief has on the team in front of her."
Lauren Kokoskie
Glen Gardner, N.J. / Voorhees HS
Back
Prior to Rutgers: Recorded 16 goals and 22 assists as a four-year varsity starter … team captain as a senior … as a senior, named First Team All-County and First Team All-Conference, Lehigh Valley Live All-Area First Team, Max Field Hockey All-New Jersey Region Second Team and named to all-star game … as a junior, named First Team All-Conference, First Team All-Country, Third Team All-North Jersey, Lehigh Valley Live Honorable Mention … NJ.com Top Defender to Watch … as a sophomore, named First Team All-County, Second Team All-Conference and Lehigh Valley Live Honorable Mention … team was conference champions as a freshman … parents are Tami and Doug … father played football at Rutgers … has older brother, Kyle, who plays basketball at Elmira College … member of National Honor Society and Honor Societies for World Language, English and Science
Coach Civico on Kokoskie: "Lauren is a powerful defender with an absolute determination to succeed. She is strong and able of moving the ball at speed. We look forward to seeing her contribution over her time at Rutgers."
Bridy Molyneaux
Forward
Fair Haven, N.J. / Lawrenceville
Prior to Rutgers: Played four seasons at Rumson Fair Haven, scoring 86 goals and 57 assists from 2015-18 … spent postgraduate year at Lawrenceville in 2019, scoring 15 goals and adding five assists … three-time First Team All-Shore … named First Team All-State in 2018 and First Team All-Prep League in 2019 … named a Top 50 player by Max Field Hockey … on NFHCA National Academic Squad in 2017 and 2018 … led RFH to four Shore Conference Championships and two NJ Sectional Championships … earned fan vote for Shore Conference Player of the Year … also competed in outdoor track and field … Junior Olympian in field hockey and swimming … played field hockey in Holland in 2018 and 2019 summers … parents are Mark and Kathleen … has two sisters, MaryRose and Elle … MaryRose played field hockey at Penn
Coach Civico on Molyneaux: "Bridy is a creative and energetic forward who is capable of the unpredictable. She is as quick going forward as she is tracking back to defend and that is just what we want from our attacking players."
Paulina Niklaus
Midfield
Mannheim, Germany / Ludwig Frank Gymnasium
Prior to Rutgers: Played with Mannheimer HC and the German Junior National Team … began playing field hockey at four years old … moved from Munich to Manheim at age 16 … parents are Carmen and Thomas Niklaus … has an older sister, Anna
Coach Civico on Niklaus: "Paulina Niklaus brings tremendous experience as a midfielder playing for Mannheimer hockey Club as well as the Germany Junior National Team. Creative and with an eye for a forward pass, we are excited to integrate her into the team."
Elise Pettisani
Medford, N.J. / Eastern Regional
Back
Prior to Rutgers: Four-year varsity starter and team captain as a senior as team won four state championships and won Tournament of Champions … scored 26 career goals and added 24 career assists … named First Team All-Conference, First Team All-South Jersey, First Team All-Group IV, First Team All-State, First Team All-Region and Second Team All-American … was on Max Field Hockey All-New Jersey Region First Team and Max Field Hockey High School National Invitational Second Team … played in Senior All-Star Game … named All-Conference in 2018 … U-16 JPOL New Jersey Region Most Valuable Player … also played lacrosse in high school … parents are Frank and Kathleen … has an older sister, Alexis … had five family members to play collegiate sports, including sister (field hockey, BU), uncle (wrestling, Drexel), uncle (basketball, Kean), cousin (lacrosse, Cincinnati), and cousin that plays lacrosse at Gettysburg College
Coach Civico on Pettisani: "Elise is technically strong defensive player and a natural leader. A standout at Eastern High School in New Jersey, she brings a winning mentality and a focus on being the best she can be. She is also capable of scoring goals, especially on penalty corners."
Elizabeth Romano
New Vernon, NJ / Madison High School
Midfield / Forward
Prior to Rutgers: Spent two seasons at UConn, joining the Scarlet Knights for her junior season … played in 24 games, scoring two goals, tallying against Georgetown and Quinnipiac as a freshman in 2018
High School: Played four seasons at Madison High School ... led Madison to state titles in 2015 and appearances in the finals in both 2016 and 2017 ... First Team All-Conference all four seasons ... 2017 NJAC Player of the Year ... MAX Field Hockey Top 10 performer ... scored 45 goals and had 28 assists her senior season ... three-time First Team All-State member ... 2016 Daily Record, Mugs Media and NJAC Player of the Year ... contributed 36 goals and 10 assists during her junior season and finished her high school career with 129 goals and 67 assists ... four-time All-North Jersey First Team selection ... two-time Academic All-American (2016 & '17 … parents are Pat and LuAnn Romano … has one older sister, Christa, who played field hockey at Quinnipiac … intends to major in Exercise Science.
Coach Civico on Romano: "Liz transferred to RU this winter and we couldn't be more thrilled that she is a Scarlet Knight. She is a skilled, experienced player who, thanks to her technical ability, can play a variety of positions. Already, Liz has had an impact on our program, and I expect that to continue over her two years at Rutgers."
Liz-Elaine Stange
Forward
Hamburg, Germany / Carl-Von-Ossietzky Gymnasium
Prior to Rutgers: Played with UHC Hamburg and Uhlenhorster club team … competed at the 2019 Euro Hockey Club Cup … began playing field hockey at four years old … parents are Maik and Martina Stange … had an older brother, Louis
Coach Civico on Stange: "Liz is a fast and dynamic forward who is natural goal scorer. She plays for Uhlenhorster, a top club in Germany and, playing alongside Paulina, she has also represented her country at the junior level."
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.
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