Rutgers Field Hockey opens with weekend sweep

It was a great start to the season as the Rutgers Field Hockey team swept its opening weekend series, topping Kent State (0-1) in the opener, 4-1 and then overpowering Towson (0-1) with a 9-0 shutout.

The opener saw a hat trick by transfer Austyn Cuneo. She scored first in the opening half off a penalty stroke;l the foul went to video review before it was finally upheld. Cuneo scored twice more in the second half to put the game out of reach.

Freshman Kassidy Shetler scored her first goal of her RU career in the 32nd minute to give the Knights a 2-0 halftime lead.

rvc73

Goalie Gianna Glatz was credited with seven saves on the afternoon.

“It feels great to get this first win,” head coach Meredith Civico said. “Kent State is a really good team and they consistently compete for championships in the MAC. It’s a great first win against a really good opponent and I’m really happy for the team.”

The Saturday contest against Towson saw RU score early and often. Daphne Groothius scored the first of her three goals just 8:09 into the game off a corner. Seven minutes later the score was 3-0 as Groothius would score again following a score by Gianna Mancini. Gracey Butsack ended the first half scoring with the first of two scores, putting the Knights up 4-0 at the half.

The final stanza saw the Knights continue the assault. In all, Rutgers would put 18 shots on goal to the Tigers four. Linde vanSchalk would score twice, and Groothius, Butsack, and Mancini would add to their totals.

Gianna Glatz had an easy day in the cage, not having to stop any shots.

The Knights travel to Philadelphia next Friday for a 3:00 contest against Penn before facing Old Dominion on the road next Sunday.