PISCATAWAY, N.J. – No. 13/15 Rutgers men's lacrosse returns home this weekend, set to host Fairfield Saturday at noon. This will be the third home game of the season and is the last home game until March 18, preceding a three-game road trip. The first 250 fans will receive a Rutgers lacrosse window cling. The game will be live streamed by BTN Plus, with Lou Brogno and Tim McGeeney on the call.

Rutgers took its first loss of the season in a back-and-forth road battle against No. 12 Army last weekend. The game was tied at 5-5 at halftime and 7-7 early in the fourth quarter before the Black Knights had the final two tallies in a 9-7 win. Freshman Tommy Coyne scored three goals and added an assist in his second career start, and was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week. Goalkeeper Max Edelmann made 14 saves, and holds an 8.00 goals-against-average and .538 save percentage. Returning All-American Jules Heningburg leads the team offensively with seven goals, eight assists and 15 points, while senior captain and midfielder Christian Mazzone is second with three assists and seven points. In last week's contest, redshirt freshman Garrett Bulllett made his first career start on defense, while senior Joe Francisco returned from injury to alternate with Alex Schoen at the faceoff 'X'.
 
"We have to develop all areas of our game," head coach Brian Brecht said. "We have a great opportunity this week at home before we go back on the road. It's important for us to take care of ourselves and focus on getting the next one this Saturday."
 
Fairfield, who went 5-9 last season, has started the 2018 campaign 1-1, taking a 12-5 loss to Vermont before winning 11-6 at St. Joe's. Joe Rodrigues and Brendan Quinn share the team lead with three goals. Also returning for the Stags is Colin Burke, a two-time all-conference attackman with 73 career goals in 33 games. Following the graduation of goalkeeper Tyler Behring, sophomore Sean McKee has taken the starting role, with a 9.33 goals-against-average and .517 save percentage. Will Fox is at 73.8 percent on faceoffs, the second best mark in the NCAA.
 
This is the eighth lifetime matchup between the two programs, with the Stags leading 4-3. The Scarlet Knights have won the past two years, winning 8-3 last season on the road in a contest where RU outshot them 41-25 but Fairfield made 16 saves. The Scarlet Knights claimed a 12-6 win in 2016 in Piscataway behind four goals from Jules Heningburg. The teams met annually from 2006-2009 when both played in the ECAC.
 
Tickets for the 2018 season are on sale through the Rutgers Ticket Office online or by calling 1-866-445-GORU (4678).

Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersAthletics) and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding Rutgers men's lacrosse, follow the program and Brecht on Twitter (@RUMLax and @RUlaxCoach) and Facebook. Fans can receive timely information, including special offers and giveaways throughout the year on our social media outlets along with www.ScarletKnights.com.