2023 Field Hockey Season Preview

Aug 22 | Field Hockey

Scarlet Faithful Preview Podcast Fox Sports on the Road Interview 2023 Field Hockey Record Book International Trip Recap

PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Rutgers field hockey is ready to take back to the field for the 2023 season. Featuring a veteran roster that gained valuable experience facing a tough schedule last season, paired with an exciting group of newcomers to inject energy into the squad, the Scarlet Knights are prepped for an exciting year as a fun team to watch. The Scarlet Knights will begin the season ranked No. 16 nationally in the NFHCA preseason poll.

"Last year we had lost 12 players to graduation, so it was a brand-new team without a lot of experience competing in the toughest conference in the country," head coach Meredith Civico said. "The team learned and grew from that. With the returners and newcomers, we have a great squad set for this season. We have a very driven group that wants to win and are about the team first and building a great culture."

Rutgers Returns

83% of the team's goal-scoring from last season returns and 82% of the team's point-scoring returns.

On the offensive end, RU must replace just Rachel Houston (3 goals, 5 assists) and Amanda Beck (2 goals, 1 assist) from last season's production. The returning goal scoring was balanced, with Indy van Ek pacing returners with five goals last season, while Iris Langejans, Marique Dieudonne and Lucy Bannatyne all had four goals.

Iris Langejans was a Third Team All-American. She was also a First Team All-Big Ten and First Team All-Region selection after leading the team in points (16) and assists (eight), along with four goals.

Puck Winter was the Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Year. She started every game at center back, was third in the Big Ten in defensive saves, and added three goals, being named Second Team All-Region.

Guillermina Causarano was named Second Team All-Region.The Argentine midfielder had three goals and two assists and is entering her second season as team captain.

Rutgers returns nine of the 11 players who started double-digit games last season: Iris Langejans, Marique Dieudonne, Lucy Bannatyne, Guillermina Causarano, Puck Winter, Bridy Molyneaux, Sophia Howard, Vicky Jure and Elise Pettisani.

In between the pipes, goalkeeper Sophia Howard returns after playing every minute of last season. She posted a 1.95 goals-against-average and .707 save percentage last season.

Rutgers Newcomers

The Scarlet Knights bring in six new players for the season, which features two transfers and four first-year NCAA players.

Ava Cickavage joined the program for its spring season following one campaign at Wake Forest. Julianne Kopec is the other transfer after posting 11 goals in 27 games at Temple, where she was previously named all-conference and all-region.

RU's newcomers are:
-     Olivia Beattie: Greenisland, Northern Ireland
-     Paulina Niklaus: Mannheim, Germany
- Abbie Zacchini: Bolton, Mass.
-     Ava Cickavage: Moorestown, N.J. (Wake Forest)
-     Olivia Fraticelli: Toms River, N.J.
-     Julianne Kopec: West Long Branch, N.J. (Temple)

International Trip

The Scarlet Knights were well prepared for the 2023 fall season with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity over the summer to take an international trip as a team. RU had the opportunity to return to campus early to practice, then departed for an international trip the members of the traveling party are sure not to forget.

The team spent the last week of June in the Netherlands and Belgium, mixing sightseeing with the opportunity to challenge themselves by facing some elite international competition and getting an early opportunity to establish the team culture and form bonds.

"We were incredibly fortunate to have this opportunity," Civico said. "We got to play high quality opponents, train in top facilities and watch high level international games. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity and experience that will set up our team well for season."

Captains

Rutgers has a trio of captains set for this season. Marique Dieudonne joins returning captains Guillermina Causarano and Sophia Howard to provide great leadership.

"The captains have set themselves apart in leadership qualities they possess," Civico said. "They represent the Rutgers student-athlete experience so well. They do everything the best they can on and off the field. The team and coaching staff really respects them."

Past Success

The Scarlet Knights have proved their mettle as a top team in the Big Ten Conference. Over the past five seasons, RU has climbed to new levels. Since the start of 2018, Rutgers has a 59-34 record (.634 winning percentage), 29 ranked wins, 10 top-10 wins and five top-five wins. In that time they've made two NCAA Tournaments, including a Big Ten Tournament Championship and Elite Eight appearance. The Scarlet Knights will look to continue that successful play as 2023 approaches.

Outlook

Under coach Civico, the Scarlet Knights always play a tough non-conference schedule. This season is no different, featuring a road-trip heavy slate, with just six home games and the team being immediately tested by playing the first seven games away from home. It will be another tough set of opponents this season, as No. 16 RU faces seven ranked opponents, with six top-10 games currently scheduled based on the preseason rankings.

The team's international trip served to help prepare the team for having the proper mentality to prepare to play away from home. RU will no doubt be eager to hit the ground running and display the exciting mixture of talent that the 2023 Scarlet Knights possess.