Rutgers University
Hofstra
Women’s Lacrosse Hosts Hofstra Saturday
Feb 26 | Women's Lacrosse
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers women's lacrosse (3-2) hosts Hofstra (3-2) on Saturday at SHI Stadium. First draw is set for noon and will stream on Big Ten Plus. The game serves as the front end of a doubleheader with the men's lacrosse program, who also hosts the Pride for a 3 p.m. matchup in Piscataway.
Saturday is Youth Lacrosse Day, as both teams welcome youth programs from across the state. Giveaways include Block R magnets, shakers, Nike bracelets and this season's official team poster. Postgame autographs will take place on the field.
The Scarlet Knights enter the weekend after losing 15-9 at No. 14 Princeton on Wednesday night. Senior Katie Buck tied a program single-game record with 13 draw controls, while junior Payton Tini added a hat trick in the in-state matchup.
| Last Time Out |
• The Tigers used a 39-29 shot advantage and a 6-2 scoring run in the second quarter to defeat RU Wednesday night at Sherrerd Field at Class of 1952 Stadium.
• Buck's career-high 13 draw controls helped RU to a 16-8 advantage on 50-50 opportunities. Graduate student goalkeeper Simone Koryszewski produced a season-high 13 saves, including nine in the second half and six in the third quarter.
• Tini registered her first hat trick of the season, while classmate Alex Popham provided a spark off the bench with a season-high two goals. Senior Lily Dixon tallied two points on a goal and an assist.
| Dixon Approaching History |
• With 89 career assists, Dixon is now just four assists away from passing Marin Hartshorn (2019-23) for the program assist record. Dixon leads the Big Ten and is sixth nationally with 17 helpers this season.
| Back-to-Back #SCTop10 |
• Rutgers has had plays featured on SportsCenter's top 10 plays in back-to-back weeks. Rookie Kate Theofield appeared at No. 9 on the list on Thursday after her behind-the-back goal at Princeton on Wednesday night. Sophomore Delainey Sutley's highlight behind-the-back cleanup goal against Monmouth landed at No. 6 on last week's list.
| Buck Shines on the Draw |
• Buck has been one of the top draw takers in the country this season, as the senior captain leads the Big Ten and is 15th nationally with 8.60 draw controls per game. Buck has tallied eight or more draw controls four times this season, including her career-high 13 against the Tigers.
• Her 140 career draw controls are tied with Brooke Cantwell (2007-10) for sixth on the program's all-time list. She needs two more to move into the top five.
| Tough Schedule |
• Including its matchups with Army and Princeton, Rutgers is set to play eight programs ranked in the latest IWLCA Coaches Poll. The list includes four within the top 10 – No. 3 Maryland, No. 4 Northwestern, No. 5 Johns Hopkins, No. 6 Michigan, No. 14 Princeton, No. 18 Stony Brook, No. 20 Penn State and No. 22 Army.
| Against Hofstra |
• The Pride enter Saturday with a 3-2 record, winning 14-8 at Marist on Thursday in their last time out. Hofstra also owns wins over Manhattan (19-5) and Quinnipiac (12-7) this season.
• The Pride lead the CAA in draw control percentage (.607) - good for 21st nationally. Madeleine Rudolph leads the conference with 4.25 draw controls per game.
• Nikki Mennella is Hofstra's leading goal scorer with 20 on the season.
• Rutgers and Hofstra meet for the 36th time - marking the longest-running series against one opponent in program history.
• The Scarlet Knights lead the Pride, 25-10, which includes wins in back-to-back seasons in 2024 and 2025.
| Up Next |
• Rutgers plays its next two on the road, beginning at Temple on March 7 in Philadelphia. First draw from Howarth Field is set for noon and will stream on ESPN+.
