Aggressive, speedy midfielder Payton Tini making waves for Rutgers women's lacrosse in freshman year
Freshman midfielder Payton Tini has greatly impacted the Rutgers women's lacrosse team since joining the team this year. The rookie set great marks early in the season for the Scarlet Knights (6-8, 0-5) and has taken home numerous honors.
Though lacrosse is currently her only sport, the New Yorker grew up playing a variety of sports in her youth. Tini balanced soccer, lacrosse and basketball for several years.
Although Tini started playing lacrosse at a young age, she was extremely passionate about basketball and even considered going to college for the sport. Tini scored more than 1,000 points for her high school's basketball team.
"I only started playing club lacrosse when I was about a freshman in high school," Tini said. "But I took a step back and I was like, 'You know what? I'm from Long Island. I'd probably have a much better chance going somewhere good for lacrosse,' so I focused a lot of my energy and recruitment into lacrosse from then on."
On the Banks, Tini's new teammates have been crucial in her development as a midfielder. Throughout her freshman season, she acquired new abilities to fit her playing style.
Tini earned playing time right away when the lacrosse season started, which helped her win Big Ten Rookie of the Week twice. Tini received her first honor on February 27 for her contribution to Rutgers' victories over Army and Monmouth, totaling 4 goals across the two games.
The following week, Tini received the award again after she combined for seven points on 4 goals and three assists following two contests against Oregon and then-No. 23 Princeton. Tini described the feeling of winning those awards as "unreal," stating how proud she was of herself in the moment.
"The support and love from my teammates when everyone was congratulating me and everyone was so happy for me ... It was just amazing," Tini said.
As of Tuesday, Tini falls second behind graduate student midfielder Cassidy Spilis in goals netted on the season. The newcomer currently has 13 goals, along with nine assists.
Tini described herself as "aggressive" and "speedy" when asked to characterize herself as a player. She also describes herself as selfless, noting that she is always willing to provide her teammates with abundant opportunities.
When Tini reflected back on the games she has played with the Knights so far, she mentioned that the Johns Hopkins game was her favorite of the season. Even though Rutgers lost in overtime, Tini considered the Knights' performances on both the offensive and defensive ends to be among their best.
"Everyone knew what everybody else was doing and the dynamic was amazing," Tini said. "That's the kind of stuff I'll remember forever. Even though we didn't win the game, just feeling the energy from the team was honestly electric."
As the lacrosse season soon comes to a close, Tini expressed what the dynamic had been like for her since joining the team.
"There's just a whole lot of love honestly and everybody is consistently there for you," Tini said. "It's just really nice to have that kind of support system going off the field."
Rutgers and Tini will compete in two more games against Ohio State and Vermont before the regular season ends. The Knights will meet with the Buckeyes (7-7, 1-4) in Columbus, Ohio, with the faceoff set for 6 p.m. on Thursday.
For more updates on the Rutgers women's lacrosse team, follow @TargumSports on X.
