A 2-0 weekend moves Rutgers Field Hockey up in rankings

Win a few games in conference and people notice.

This week’s NFHCA Poll pushed the Knights up four places to a tie for 19th with William & Mary. The weekend Big Ten sweep over Indiana and Iowa was a good start to conference play.

The schedule-makers did no favors for Rutgers. Four of its remaining five games against ranked opponents are on the road, starting on Friday at No. 10 Northwestern. The Stanford game, though, is on the road for both teams as they play that weekend in Ann Arbor. Still, the ranking continues a season-long move upward for the Knights.

More honors

Since my daughter was a field hockey goalie, I will always have a soft spot for them. But let me warn you, do not cross a goalie. That stick is pretty big and they have pads!

Keeper Gianna Glatz joins fellow frosh Daphne Groothius (twice) as a recipient of Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors. The Shawnee High School product recorded two shutouts this week. She made four saves in a 2-0 win versus Indiana and stopped four more shots in a 1-0 win against No. 19 Iowa. It is the second time this season recording back-to-back shutouts, earning her first career Big Ten Freshman of the Week honor.

And note to Coach Civico and the marketing people: you should be selling those goalie jerseys! Very cool!

Notable win for Civico

Speaking of the coach....

It isn’t as if she’s won the Big Ten, but Meredith Civico has, at least, offered a team that has been competitive. And, unfortunately, that hasn’t always been the case at Rutgers among any number of sports.

Over her six seasons, she is just under .500 at 50-52. But, she’s had teams win at least nine games in four of the previous five seasons. The Big Ten is a very challenging conference in field hockey. A tough schedule lies ahead, but this could be a record-setting season for the Knights. This could be interesting.