Seven Scarlet Knights Tabbed by USA Field Hockey for Nexus Championships
Jun 25 | Field Hockey
Samantha Arnold, Olivia Fraticielli, Talia Schenck, and alternates Caroline DeKenipp and Maddie Olshemski were listed for the Senior Nexus Championships, while incoming Scarlet Knights Ella Gandy and Lauren Iaccio were picked for the Junior National Championships
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Seven different Rutgers field hockey players were identified by USA Field Hockey for participation in this summer's annual Nexus Championships, to be held this July in Virginia Bech, Va. at the Virginia Beach Regional Training Center. Samantha Arnold, Olivia Fraticielli, Talia Schenck, and alternates Caroline DeKenipp and Maddie Olshemski were listed for the Senior Nexus Championships, while incoming Scarlet Knights Ella Gandy and Lauren Iaccio were picked for the Junior National Championships. The Junior Nexus will take place from July 9-19, while the Senior event is slated for July 17-19.
Samantha Arnold recently completed her freshman season at RU. The back from East Brunswick, N.J. played in nine games with four starts.
Olivia Fraticelli was the team's leading scorer last season, and heads to the Senior Nexus Championships for the third time. The forward from Toms River, N.J. scored 11 goals and had 24 points last season.
Talia Schenck is set for her first season with the Scarlet Knights after transferring from Princeton. The Lawrenceville, N.J. product is an experienced player within Team USA, including a silver medal with the USA U-21 squad at the 2025 Junior Pan Am Games, and was previously a two-time All-Ivy pick with 10 goals and seven assists across 63 collegiate games.
Caroline DeKenipp has spent two years 'On the Banks'. The Point Pleasant, N.J. native saw action in 12 games last season.
Maddie Olshemki was tabbed for the Senior Nexus Championships for the third time. Entering her fourth collegiate season, she has played in 31 career games.
Ella Gandy will join RU in the fall via Clearview Regional. The Mullica Hill, N.J. product was a Max Field Hockey High School All-American and All-Region pick.
Lauren Iaccio comes to Rutgers as an incoming freshman from Camden Catholic High School. The Cherry Hill, N.J. native was a Max Field Hockey All-Region selection and previously participated at the USA Field Hockey Junior Women's National Team selection camp.
Also of note, RU goalkeeper Emily Nicholls was unavailable for selection due to overlapping commitments while playing with the Team USA U-21 squad.
A step along the Olympic Development Pathway program, the Senior NXC serves as a selection opportunity for the 2026-27 Junior USWNT Selection Camps, U.S. Women's National Development Squad, and USWNT. At the conclusion of the Junior NXC, top performing athletes in qualifying age groups will be invited to additional Junior U.S. National Team camps and training opportunities.
Samantha Arnold recently completed her freshman season at RU. The back from East Brunswick, N.J. played in nine games with four starts.
Olivia Fraticelli was the team's leading scorer last season, and heads to the Senior Nexus Championships for the third time. The forward from Toms River, N.J. scored 11 goals and had 24 points last season.
Talia Schenck is set for her first season with the Scarlet Knights after transferring from Princeton. The Lawrenceville, N.J. product is an experienced player within Team USA, including a silver medal with the USA U-21 squad at the 2025 Junior Pan Am Games, and was previously a two-time All-Ivy pick with 10 goals and seven assists across 63 collegiate games.
Caroline DeKenipp has spent two years 'On the Banks'. The Point Pleasant, N.J. native saw action in 12 games last season.
Maddie Olshemki was tabbed for the Senior Nexus Championships for the third time. Entering her fourth collegiate season, she has played in 31 career games.
Ella Gandy will join RU in the fall via Clearview Regional. The Mullica Hill, N.J. product was a Max Field Hockey High School All-American and All-Region pick.
Lauren Iaccio comes to Rutgers as an incoming freshman from Camden Catholic High School. The Cherry Hill, N.J. native was a Max Field Hockey All-Region selection and previously participated at the USA Field Hockey Junior Women's National Team selection camp.
Also of note, RU goalkeeper Emily Nicholls was unavailable for selection due to overlapping commitments while playing with the Team USA U-21 squad.
A step along the Olympic Development Pathway program, the Senior NXC serves as a selection opportunity for the 2026-27 Junior USWNT Selection Camps, U.S. Women's National Development Squad, and USWNT. At the conclusion of the Junior NXC, top performing athletes in qualifying age groups will be invited to additional Junior U.S. National Team camps and training opportunities.
Players Mentioned
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