Rutgers Field Hockey earns first B1G weekly honors

With all the hoopla over this being “game week” for Rutgers Football, it’s easy to forget that most of the other sports have already started. And for Field Hockey, it’s started very well.

Scoring a goal in her first game and then following that up with a hat trick in her second, midfielder Daphne Groothuis was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week. It is the first honor for any Rutgers player this season in any sport.

Daphne was in the starting lineup when the Knights opened the season against Kent State last Friday when she assisted on her first goal. On Saturday, Groothuis recorded a hat trick, scoring three times in a win over Towson. The native of Nieuwerkerk aan den Ijssel in The Netherlands tallied twice in the first 15 minutes of the game, and added a second-half score to complete the hat trick.

“Daphne is a quality player, and has already proven she is a great teammate,” head coach Meredith Civico said. “I’m thrilled that she is being recognized in week one, but I’m even more excited about seeing her develop through the season.”

The freshman currently is tied for the Big Ten lead with seven points after recording three goals and an assist during the opening weekend of the season. The tie for the lead is with her team mate Linde van Schaik.

Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week

Gini Bramley, Penn State - M - Jr.

• Guided No. 7 Penn State to victories over No. 23 Old Dominion and No. 10 Virginia

•Scored two goals and added one assist against Old Dominion

•Scored two goals and tallied two assists in Penn State's, 4-2, win over Virginia

Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week

Sam Swenson, Michigan - GK - Sr.

• Posted nine saves and allowed just two goals in the season-opening, 3-2, win against No. 1 North Carolina• Recorded five saves in the, 5-4, victory over No. 15 Wake Forrest

Big Ten Freshman of the Week

Daphne Groothuis, Rutgers - M - Fr. - Nieuwerker Aan Den Ijssel, The Netherlands - Thorbecke Voortgezet Onderwijs

• Made her collegiate debut this weekend, starting both games for the Scarlet Knights

• Recorded her first career assist against Kent State in a 4-1 victory• Scored her first career hat trick, netting three goals, en route to Rutgers' 9-0 win over Towson•Earns her first career Big Ten Freshman of the Week honor