PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers field hockey incoming freshmen Olivia Stazi and Emily Nichols competed in the USA Junior Nexus Championship, hosted by USA Field Hockey in Virginia Beach at the Regional Training Center. The duo joined five of the future teammates (Bridy Molyneaux, Kara Heck, Madelyn Kidd, Olivia Fraticelli and Maddie Olshemski) as part of selections for the overall event, with those five being tabbed by the Senior Nexus Championship.
Stazi joins the Scarlet Knights from Sewell, N.J. The Camden Catholic product was a two-time New Jersey All-Non Public First Team Selection. Stazi twice led Camden Catholic to Non-Public NJ State Championships, including in 2022 when the program ascended to the number one ranking in the state. In 2023, Stazi was named Second Team All-State. She was also a three-time All-Olympic Conference Honors Second Team selection and was tabbed for the U-21 squad at the 2024 Junior Nexus Championship.
“Olivia is a tough defender who always brings a competitive and contagious energy,” head coach Meredith Civico explained. “She moves the ball very well and is tenacious in one versus one.”
Nichols joins the Scarlet Knights from Haddon Heights, N.J. The in-state goalkeeper excelled as a two-year varsity starter at Camden Catholic, where she helped the team to two state championships, a No. 1 national ranking in 2022 and the No. 2 team in the region in 2022. Nichols was a Third Team All-State selection in 2023 and was a two-time First Team All-Conference selection. Nichols was on the Max Field Hockey Top 50 for the Class of 2024 and was on their High School Regional Player to Watch List. Nichols participated with the U-16 National Team during the 2022 Canadian Tour, was at the Junior National Camp in 2022 and 2023 and was a three-year Nexus Championship selection and three-year Stars and Stripes Game selection.
“A talented and athletic goalkeeper, Emily is a player we are tremendously excited about,” head coach Meredith Civico said. “She is someone who loves to win – and hates to lose.”
The duo was high school teammates at Camden Catholic and are set to be part of an eight-member newcomer class poised to join the team for…
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