PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Off its best season in program history, Rutgers women's lacrosse was picked eighth by USA Lacrosse Magazine in the publication's early 2023 rankings. The Scarlet Knights were one of three Big Ten programs listed in the top 10, joining No. 2 Maryland and No. 3 Northwestern.
 
Under reigning Big Ten Coach of the Year Melissa Lehman, RU enjoyed its most successful season in school history with a program-record 16 victories, its second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance and the team's first top-10 finish in the final IWLCA Coaches Poll (No. 10). The Scarlet Knights delivered wins over six ranked opponents during the 2022 campaign and advanced to their first ever Big Ten Tournament title game with their victory over No. 4 Northwestern – the team's first over the Wildcats and highest-ranked win in school history.
 
Five Scarlet Knights earned All-America laurels, including three who landed on the IWLCA All-America squad. Rutgers also finished with four IWLCA All-Region picks for the second consecutive season and landed 26 student-athletes on the Academic All-Big Ten Team. Fourteen Scarlet Knights were also named 2022 Big Ten Distinguished Scholars.
 
Rutgers returns three All-America selections this season, which includes Meghan Ball, Marin Hartshorn and Cassidy Spilis. Spilis became the program's first-ever First Team IWLCA All-America selection and was also named Big Ten Midfielder of the Year after she produced career highs in points (71), goals (69), draw controls (72), ground balls (46) and caused turnovers (22). Ball was a unanimous First Team All-Big Ten pick after she led the team in draw controls (114), ground balls (64) and caused turnovers (54), while Hartshorn finished third on the team in assists (22), goals (35) and draw controls (53) and was fourth on the team in points with 57.