PISCATAWAY, N.J. — The Rutgers field hockey seniors will be honored during a pregame ceremony at their last home game against No. 19 James Madison this Sunday. On October 30, prior to a 1 p.m. game against James Madison,
Amanda Beck,
Annie Walsh,
Carly Snarski,
Isabella Mancini,
Maggie Lamb, and
Rachel Houston will be celebrated by their friends, family, and team for their contributions to the program.
Each of the six seniors have all been 'On the Banks' since 2019. They have seen many ups and downs during their careers, including the COVID-19 Pandemic, and winning the Big Ten Tournament. Going through it all together has only brought them closer.
"During COVID we only saw each other, so we definitely got to know each other even more,"
Maggie Lamb said. "I think winning the Big Ten Tournament brought us closer together, too, because all of our hard work really paid off."
Lamb, a native of West Long Branch, has been a contributor to the midfield throughout her four years. She's played in every game in her four-year career, and has inserted herself into the starting lineup the past few games.
"It's been an honor to be a part of this program because it was a building program," Lamb mentioned. "It's just awesome to play for my home state and represent New Jersey."
Fellow midfielder
Carly Snarski, who has also seen time at forward, has had to overcome a unique challenge. Over her first two seasons, she only saw game action once, taking time to learn and develop her skills.
"I've definitely improved a lot," Snarski said. "I started playing field hockey late. I started during my sophomore year of high school, which is much later than a lot of people on the team. I just grew as a player, and the coaches believed in me."
Despite aspirations to play Division I field hockey; Snarski was not heavily recruited. The Randolph native spent her athletic career playing other sports, including ice hockey and soccer, until a broken leg led her to pick up a field hockey stick. It was not until the Rutgers coaching staff took a chance on her, that she gave her collegiate career a go.
"They really were the ticket to my college career," Snarksi mentioned. "I was looking at other schools that were Division III, and they were really the only Division I school that was able to take a chance on me. I think without them I wouldn't be the player or person I am today."
Head coach
Meredith Civico and her staff have had a lasting impact on these seniors, in particular,
Rachel Houston, who came to Rutgers from Hillsborough, Northern Ireland.
"For me, she's sort of meant to be my mom away from home," Houston said. "I've got a different kind of bond with her in that I would go to her for support. She's just an amazing person and an amazing coach."
Houston has enjoyed a successful four years, starting at forward the last two seasons, and collecting two goals and four assists this season.
"Obviously it's difficult coming here and being so far away from home," Houston added. "I was really fortunate with my year group that everybody was so welcoming. We just fit in and bonded as sisters."
Forward
Amanda Beck has continued to improve in each of her seasons here. The last three seasons she has been an impact player off the bench, earning time in at least 15 games a year. This year she has taken a step forward, earning her first career start, goal, and assist of her collegiate career.
"My experience at Rutgers has been amazing," Beck said. "It has provided me with so many lifelong friends and amazing memories. I am so thankful for the opportunity to be a part of this special team and will cherish these moments forever."
Annie Walsh and
Isabella Mancini round out the class, both playing key roles on the backline.
After redshirting last season, Walsh has provided reinforcement off the bench this year, highlighted by a defensive save at Maryland.
Mancini, one of this year's captains, has had to step into a larger role. A full-time starter this year, she has averaged over 56 minutes per game.
"It's definitely awesome to be in that leadership role," Mancini mentioned. "There's also six of us seniors who have been in leadership roles. All of us have been working together, it's not just three captains, there's all of us upperclassmen."
Although it's their second season as upperclassmen, it's the first time they feel like their experiences allow them to lead in their own way.
"I think it's interesting because our class was here during peak COVID, which was our freshman year," Walsh said. "This is the first year that we're really the upperclassmen taking charge. Last year we were juniors, but we felt kind of like sophomores because we had two classes ahead of us. It's been really neat to make this team our own and run it how we want to run it."
With time as Scarlet Knights coming to a close, the seniors are proud of what they've accomplished, and the bonds they've created with one another.
"It's upsetting that it's coming to an end, but we're ready for the next chapter of our lives." Mancini concluded.
(Swipe Through The Post Below for Thank You Messages from the Senior Class)
