PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Jessica Beneducci, Sophia Cardello, Emalie Clothier and Cassidy Spilis were named team captains for Rutgers women's lacrosse this season. Spilis was selected as a team captain for the third consecutive season, while Cardello gets the designation for a second time. Beneducci and Clothier earn the distinction for the first time in their respective careers.
 
A four-year starter on defense, Beneducci has produced 101 ground balls and 53 caused turnovers during her collegiate career. Last season, Beneducci caused seven turnovers and scooped up 17 ground balls, which included the 100th ground ball of her career in a victory over No. 16 Johns Hopkins at the Big Ten Tournament. A Second Team All-Big Ten pick during the 2022 season, Beneducci is a three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection and two-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar.
 
Entering her fourth season, Cardello has appeared in 50 games with 46 starts between the pipes. The Massapequa, New York, native, owns 402 career saves and a .427 save percentage during her standout collegiate career. Cardello started all 17 games in cage for Rutgers last spring, tallying 154 saves, a .458 save percentage, and an 11.11 GAA in eight wins. During her junior campaign, Cardello produced 10 or more saves in seven games and finished second in the Big Ten with 9.06 saves per game. Cardello is a two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection.
 
Clothier enjoyed a breakout season in 2023, appearing in all 17 games with 13 starts in the midfield for the Scarlet Knights. Clothier finished her sophomore campaign with four points on three goals and an assist to go along with 18 ground balls, nine caused turnovers and eight draw controls. Clothier produced a season-high four draw controls against No. 10 Maryland in Big Ten Semifinals and finished the season as an Academic All-Big Ten selection.
 
A First Team All-Big Ten honoree and a First Team IWLCA All-Region pick, Spilis finished the regular season with a team-high 47 goals to go along with 45 draw controls, 26 ground balls and 22 caused turnovers. The 2022 Big Ten Midfielder of the Year scored three or more goals in 10 games during the season, including a season-high six in RU's 15-8 victory over Georgetown back in February. A two-time Big Ten Midfielder of the Year this past season, Spilis passed current volunteer assistant coach Taralyn Naslonski for the most in program history at 192 for her career. In 62 career games, Spilis has produced 202 points on 192 goals and 10 helpers along with 215 draw controls, 110 ground balls and 66 caused turnovers. A three-time All-American, three-time First Team All-Big Ten selection and two-time team captain, Spilis has been named to the conference's all-academic squad three times and was a 2023 Big Ten Distinguished Scholar.
 
Playing one of the toughest schedules in the country under head coach Melissa Lehman, Rutgers finished with eight victories and its third consecutive Big Ten Tournament Semifinal appearance in 2023. The Scarlet Knights picked up wins against three ranked opponents – No. 6 Stony Brook, No. 16 Johns Hopkins, and No. 19 Jacksonville – and closed the season receiving votes in the final IWLCA Coaches Poll.