PISCATAWAY, N.J. - No. 12 Rutgers field hockey returns home to host a pair of Big Ten games this weekend. The Scarlet Knights will face No. 9 Penn State on Friday (1 p.m.) and Sunday (12 p.m.). Both games will be streamed via BTN Plus. 

The Scarlet Knights have continually proved themselves among the top teams in the Big Ten, which is arguably the best league in the nation. Last weekend, RU played two road games at No. 6 Michigan, dropping both games by just one goal, including a Friday contest that went to a penalty shootout. RU holds a 5-3 mark overall, tied for the third most wins in the conference. 

Rutgers strength this season has been an elite defensive performance. Through eight games, RU has allowed just four goals, boasting a 0.47 goals-against-average as a team that is fourth nationally, and second best among teams to play more than two games this season. Individually, returning All-American goalkeeper Gianna Glatz has a .840 save percentage that places her ninth nationally. She has not allowed multiple goals in any game this season. 

The home contests will mark just the third and fourth home games this season at the Bauer Track and Field Complex. Previously, Rutgers hosted Michigan State for a pair of home games, winning them 2-0 and 5-1. The Scarlet Knights will play four straight home games this weekend, with the two matches with the Nittany Lions followed by a series with No. 3 Northwestern. That series against the Wildcats includes a nationally televised game on Friday, April 9.

Rutgers has six remaining regular season games and all are slated to be against ranked foes. RU will conclude the regular season with a total of eight straight games against top-15 teams, with series against No. 6 Michigan, No. 9 Penn State, No. 3 Northwestern and No. 13 Maryland closing out the year. 

Penn State is coming off a bye weekend, last playing on March 19th and 21st in a road sweep of Michigan State. Sophia Gladieux leads the team and the conference with six goals and 13 points. Bree Bednarski paces the league with an average of .71 assists per game. In goal, Brie Barraco holds a 1.09 goals-against average and .825 save percentage. 

Penn State leads the all-time series between these two program 19-4-3. Rutgers' last win over PSU came in 1985. RU won three straight in the series from 1984 to 1985, including a win in the NCAA Tournament in 1984 that was Rutgers' first ever NCAA Tournament victory.