During the first month of the college field hockey season, Rutgers have been one of the best teams in the country. They have gotten off to an 8-0 start and only allowed five goals. Due to their success, Rutgers is already getting some national attention.
In Tuesday’s Penn Monto/ NFHCA Division I Coaches Poll, Rutgers was ranked seventh. The rankings comprise the top 20 teams with a .500 or better record in the nation each week. This week’s ranking represented the second time Rutgers has earned a top ten ranking, moving up three spots.
While the season is far from over, the Scarlet Knights have been unbeatable. Last week, they faced No. 12 Penn State and La Salle and recorded back-to-back shutouts. They have been led by Sophia Howard, who has recorded four shutouts, and Puck Winter, who has 14 points.
As Rutgers looks to build on their success, they will aim to climb even higher in the Penn Monto/ NFHCA Division I Coaches Poll. The only other Big Ten teams ranked ahead of them are Northwestern and Iowa. Over their next three games, the Scarlet Knights will get a perfect opportunity to prove themselves as they are set to face ranked teams in Umass, Maryland, and Michigan.
Regardless of the outcomes, Tuesday provided a reminder of how far the program has come.