No. 10 Rutgers field hockey to take on No. 12 Penn State, La Salle
The Rutgers field hockey team is set to open up Big Ten play this week against Penn State. The Scarlet Knights (6-0, 0-0) are undefeated thus far and will look to stay unbeaten this week.
No. 10 Rutgers is opening the week by visiting the Nittany Lions (4-2, 0-0) on Friday. No. 12 Penn State has a dominant 19-8-3 all-time record against the Knights. The Nittany Lions will be tough competitors, as they average 3.33 goals per game this season. Sophia Gladieux is their leading goal scorer with 9 total goals and 19 points.
In its six games so far, Penn State has only lost twice. The team lost to Virginia in its season opener and to California in a double overtime loss. The Nittany Lions have proven themselves as a tough opponent for Rutgers.
On Sunday, the Knights will play their first game on their home field when they host La Salle in Piscataway. Rutgers has played well on the road, but a home-field advantage will always be welcomed.
The Explorers (4-2, 0-0) are coming off a 4-3 win against Villanova and are led by Clara Larripa and Sol Espona, who have each tallied 4 goals this season.
This game between the Knights and La Salle will be a rematch of their game last year, where the former prevailed in a 2-0 victory.
Last week, Rutgers' offense exploded against Villanova, as both sophomore back Puck Winter and graduate student forward Marique Dieudonne had multi-goal games.
Junior goalkeeper Sophia Howard is continuing her impressive season for the Knights, as she is sitting in fifth place nationally with her 0.76 goals against average. Howard is a commanding force for Rutgers and a huge piece of its success.
The Knights will be back in action on Friday at 5 p.m. against Penn State in University Park, Pennsylvania.
The Knights will make their home debut on Sunday afternoon when they host the Explorers in a 1 p.m. matchup that will be broadcast on Big Ten Plus.
For more updates on the Rutgers football team, follow @TargumSports on X. To view more of Allison Girardi's work, follow @allisongirardii on X.
