Jess Rusin, a 2010 Johnson High School graduate who led the Crusaders to the 2009 Union County Tournament title, produced an incredible senior year that capped off one of the most prolific scoring careers in Quinnipiac University history.
Rusin, the 2008 Union County Field Hockey Player of the Year as chosen by The Star-Ledger, as a forward tallied a program single-season record with 17 goals and 39 points on her way to breaking the career records in both categories.
Rusin concluded her career with 40 goals and 94 points, both all – time records at Quinnipiac.
For her accomplishments, Rusin was the recipient of Quinnipiac’s 2013-2014 Best Offensive Player Award.
Rusin earned these honors for her performance last fall:
· MAAC Player of the Week for Oct. 15, 2013
· All-MAAC First Team
· MAAC Offensive Player of the Year
· MAAC Player of the Year
· MAAC Regular Season Champion
· MAAC Conference Champion
· All Mid-East Region (First Team)
· MAAC All-Academic Honoree
· NFHCA National Academic Squad
In addition, Rusin carried a grade-point average of 3.8 as a physical therapy major.
The following comments where given about Rusin at Quinnipiac University’s final Senior Banquet:
•
“Jess is the athlete that thrives off of others playing well, scoring goals, or making a great tackle.
“She is a self-motivator and was harder on herself then the coaching staff was on her.
“She was always seeking ways of improvement and accepting criticism to perfect her game.”
•
“When Jess would sub out of the game, she could have scored two goals already, but the one that she didn’t bothered her so much. She would immediately walk over to the coaches and ask what she needed to change or improve upon for when she went back in.”
•
“Her relentlessness and determination to be the best she could possible be is why she became such a great player and why her name will be chiseled into Quinnipiac University’s record books.”
Rusin played on Johnson field hockey team for head coach Katrina Poskay.
“Jess Rusin was not only one of the state’s elite field hockey players, but is a young woman who possesses the finest work ethic.
“She is the epitome of dignity and grace both on and off the field.
“I am a better coach for having her play for me and a better person for having known her.”
Johnson High School is extremely proud of Rusin’s athletic and academic career and wishes her nothing but the best in her future going forward.
In the 2009 UCT championship game that was played at Cranford, Rusin had a goal and an assist to help lift third-seeded Johnson past top-seeded and five-time defending champion Oak Knoll 3-2.
Ranked No. 2 in the state at the time, Oak Knoll had not lost to Johnson since a regular season game on Oct. 31, 2005.
Oak Knoll had defeated Johnson in the UCT final the previous five seasons before the Crusaders were finally able to down Oak Knoll to capture their first UCT crown.