Big Ten Season Begins

After a record-setting performance against Siena on Sunday, Rutgers is ready to get the conference season started this weekend with a pair of games at Indiana and Iowa.

The Scarlet Knights (5-2, 0-0 Big Ten) meet Indiana (4-4, 0-1 Big Ten) on Friday at 3:30 p.m. and then travel to No. 15 Iowa (3-4, 0-1 Big Ten) for a Sunday afternoon meeting.

“We are looking forward to beginning Conference play,” said Rutgers coach Meredith Civico. “The other Big Ten teams played each other this weekend whereas we had a bye-weekend, but we’re coming into our game against Indiana with confidence and a belief we can compete with anyone.”

The Scarlet Knights, who were 0-8 in the Big Ten in 2015, are coming into conference play riding a very impressive four-game winning streak and a ton of confidence obtained from their recent play.

Freshman Nikki Santore leads the team with six goals and 16 points, Devon Freshnock follows with five goals and 15 points and Linde van Schalk has five goals and 11 points.

Shevaun Hayes brings a 2.24 goals against average to conference play.

“What I always want through the season is a progression,” said Civico. “If every game is better than the last then I know we are on track and that’s exactly what the team has shown me so far.”

One of those that is showing something is Katie Larmour. The Ireland native was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week after getting a pair of goals in the 13-0 win over Siena. Larmour has three goals and two assists on the season.

Since a season opening loss to Bucknell, the Scarlet Knights have only lost in overtime to No. 5 Virginia.

“We still have plenty of fine tuning to do but we’re scoring goals and we’re playing some great hockey,” Civico said. “I’m genuinely excited about what this group can achieve this season.”