‘Our goal as a program is to win championships’: Rutgers field hockey 2024 season preview
The Rutgers field hockey team is set to kick off its highly anticipated 2024 season. The Scarlet Knights had a historic 2023 season, winning 15 straight games and making the NCAA Tournament for the third time in the past six seasons.
Rutgers is returning seasoned veterans to the roster and welcoming some newcomers that add immense talent to the team.
Four returners who have experience as Knights were named captains this season. Senior midfielder Guillermina Causarano and redshirt senior goalkeeper Sophia Howard will lead the team for their third season, while senior midfielder Paulina Niklaus and redshirt senior forward Bridy Molyneaux are captains for the first time.
Along with the captains, some notable returners include redshirt junior back Puck Winter, who was named the 2023 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and junior midfielder Ava Cickavage, who instantly became a starter after transferring from Wake Forest.
Overall, Rutgers returns 79 percent of its goal-scoring from last season.
Head coach Meredith Civico, who is entering her 13th season on the Banks, is set on taking the program to even bigger heights.
“Our goal as a program is to win championships,” Civico said. “That’s always the headline. And that’s something that our team feels strongly about. When we discuss our team goals in the offseason, we have some big goals and big dreams.”
Civico is also focused on building a supportive culture and family-like program.
“The foundation of our program is culture first,” she said. “The priority is to create a supportive environment that feels like family and feels like home. That really sets us apart. If we have that strong foundation, we can win anything.”
The Knights will put their philosophy to the test this season, welcoming five freshmen and four transfers who will feel at home quickly.
Rutgers will begin its season on Sunday against Vermont at the Bauer Track and Field Complex on Busch campus. The game will begin at noon and will be broadcast on Big Ten Plus.
“With this team and our program, it’s about the process,” Civico said. “Yes, we have high dreams and high expectations and standards. But we still need to take things one game at a time, one training session at a time. It’s about staying in the moment. If we can do that every day, we’re going to be in a really good place.
For more updates on the Rutgers field hockey team, follow @TargumSports on X.
To view more of Allison Girardi's work, follow @allisongirardii on X.
