Rutgers field hockey freshman back Lauren Iaccio earned Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors after helping the Scarlet Knights protect their end of the field in a pair of road wins, the conference announced.
Iaccio, a Mullica Hills, N.J. native and Camden Catholic product, was a key part of RU’s defense during the weekend sweep at Albany and Colgate. Rutgers handled both road tests and outscored its opponents by an average of 3.5 goals per game.
Her biggest moment came Sunday at Colgate. Just 12 minutes into the game, Rutgers worked the ball to Iaccio on a penalty corner, and she buried the shot to put the Scarlet Knights ahead for good.
The goal was her second of the season. She also scored against UConn.
Iaccio has started all eight games at back this season as a true freshman. She becomes the fourth Scarlet Knight to win Big Ten Freshman of the Week over the last two seasons, joining Martha Goodridge, Emily Nicholls and Olivia de Zwaan, who each picked up the honor last season.
She is also the second Rutgers field hockey player to land a Big Ten weekly award this year. Olivia Fraticelli was previously named the Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week after the opening weekend, when she scored four goals in wins over Monmouth and Wagner.
Rutgers returns to the field Friday to begin Big Ten play with a nationally televised matchup against a top-5 opponent. The Scarlet Knights visit Maryland for a 4 p.m. game on Big Ten Network.
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