Rutgers field hockey to take on UConn
Coming off a double-win weekend, the Rutgers field hockey team gears up for action this Friday for its second road matchup of the season, this one against No.6 UConn.
The last time the two squared off was in 2019 in Storrs, Connecticut. At the time both teams were ranked, but the Huskies (1-1, 0-0) registered a 2-0 victory over the Scarlet Knights (2-0, 0-0). UConn has yet to lose a game on home turf to Rutgers.
Although the Huskies are ranked, the Knights already took down a ranked opponent this year by shutting out No. 12 Duke in the season opener. Rutgers is currently ranked No. 15 by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association.
Leading the way with 2 goals apiece for the Knights are senior midfielder Tayla Parkes and freshman midfielder and forward Lucy Bannatyne. In just the first week of her career, Bannatyne earned Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors.
With four assists, senior midfielder Milena Redlingshoefer has the Rutgers’ lead for helpers. Redlingshofer also has the team lead in points and added a goal in the opening weekend.
Sophomore goalkeeper Sophia Howard started both games between the pipes for the Knights. So far, she has four saves, giving her a save percentage of 67 percent and a goal against average (GAA) of 1.
Rutgers has gotten contributions from junior forward Rachel Houston and senior back Kerrie Burns as well. Each has a goal and an assist as well as starts in both games.
UConn mustered 2 goals in its first two games, one from McKenna Sergei and another from Erica Solomen. Maddy Wray registered an assist as well. Cheyenne Sprecher had both starts in net and nabbed 13 saves for a save percentage of 72 percent. She gave up 5 goals for a GAA of 2.5.
Following the Huskies matchup, the Knights will return to the Banks to face No. 14 Syracuse.
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