UConn field hockey will travel to Piscataway, N.J. to take on Rutgers this Sunday, looking to avenge last year’s heartbreaking defeat.
In their most recent meeting, the Huskies saw a 2-1 lead disappear with 5:31 remaining in regulation, before eventually falling to the Scarlett Knights 3-2 in overtime on their home turf. Rutgers scored the game-winning goal off a penalty corner, with then-sophomore forward Sophie Kuiper providing the assist. Kuiper also scored the game’s opening goal.
UConn holds a 25-6 record against Rutgers dating back to 1987, but the Huskies have dropped four of the programs’ last five meetings after winning 24 out of the first 26. Both squads have met every season except for 2014-2017, following Rutgers’ departure from the Big East.
This time around, it will be a ranked-on-ranked showdown between No. 10 UConn (3-1) and No. 17 Rutgers (2-2), who are both looking to add another ranked win to their tournament resumes.
While UConn is battle-tested, with a convincing 4-1 road victory over No. 20 Saint Joseph’s on Aug. 30 and a tight 1-0 loss to No. 3 Harvard in its most recent game on Sept. 6, no schedule in NCAA field hockey currently compares to Rutgers’ start of the season.
The Scarlett Knights are in the middle of an absolute gauntlet. When it meets UConn on Sunday, Rutgers will be playing its fourth consecutive game against a ranked opponent, and its fifth overall.
Rutgers opened the season with a 5-1 loss at No. 18 Monmouth on Aug. 28, but has since turned things around with far more competitive play. The Scarlett Knights battled No. 5 Virginia before falling 2-1 at home on Sep. 4, then defeated No. 12 Syracuse 2-1 in a penalty shootout at home. In preparation for the Huskies on Sunday, Rutgers will take the bus to No. 4 Princeton today.
Needless to say, Rutgers is well-equipped for this matchup despite its 2-2 record. Sunday will be a significant test for UConn heading into Big East play, where the Huskies are presumably the favorite to win the conference and earn the league’s automatic NCAA tournament bid.
The offenses between UConn and Rutgers are relatively even. UConn ranks 21st nationally with three goals per game, while Rutgers ranks 27th at 2.50. The teams are also nearly identical in penalty corners, with UConn averaging 6.75 per game, good for 24th in the nation, and Rutgers averaging 6.50, which ranks 27th. The difference could come in the cage.
Senior goalkeeper Natalie McKenna has posted an .800 save percentage through four games, ranking among the top 10 nationally. She has made eight saves while allowing just two goals this season. Meanwhile, Rutgers has allowed nine goals through four games.
If McKenna continues to perform at a high level and the Huskies can keep the game low-scoring, UConn may not need much offense to put itself in a position to win. A goal or two could be enough if the Huskies maintain their defensive dominance and capitalize on their chances.
The opening pushback is scheduled for noon on Sunday at the Bauer Track and Field Complex on the Rutgers University campus. The game is available for streaming on UConn+.