MLAX closes out Wagner

Tuesday, February 24

Piscataway, N.J.

3:00 PM

Rutgers University

Wagner

Feb 24 | Men's Lacrosse

Feb. 24, 2015

Box Score

@RVisionRU Highlights

Photo Gallery

PISCATAWAY, N.J. - In the first midweek action of the season, Rutgers men's lacrosse closed the game strong, finishing off a 13-10 win over Wagner. The Scarlet Knights improved to 2-2 on the season, spurred by three players completing hat tricks and a 4-1 margin on the fourth quarter scoreboard.

Three different players potted three goals for Rutgers: Christian Trasolini, Brian Goss, and Chad Toliver. Bridgewater, N.J. native Scott Bieda led the Scarlet Knights with five points (two goals, three assists).

"We had a great second half today," Rutgers head coach Brian Brecht said. "Every game at this level, you have to come ready to play. I was happy with the energy in the fourth quarter coming down the stretch to get the win."

The Scarlet Knights opened the game with two quick scores, taking advantage of an early man-up opportunity with a Trasolini goal and adding to it with a score from Bieda. Tallies from Goss and Jules Heningburg extended the lead to 4-1 just eight minutes into the game.

The Seahawks cut the lead to 4-3 with two goals to close the first frame. Trasolini and Bieda added to the RU ledger, but Wagner kept pace and tied the game at 6-6 with 2:15 left in the first half.

The Scarlet Knights finished the first half strong, scoring twice in the final 14 seconds to take a two-goal advantage into halftime. Toliver scored his first of the day with 14 seconds remaining. RU gained one final possession and made it count with a highlight-reel goal. Bieda sent a pass in from behind the net, where Goss scored a diving goal with just one second remaining.

Coming out of the locker room, Trasolini completed his hat trick to give RU a 9-6 lead early in the third. However, Wagner responded with three consecutive goals, tying the game at 9-9 entering the final quarter.

In the fourth, RU put four goals in the net to ensure the victory. Goss tallied his third of the night for a 10-9 lead, but Wagner again had an answer to equalize. The Scarlet Knights earned a man-up opportunity, where Bieda fed Henningburg for the game-clincher at the 11:34 mark. Toliver scored two more goals late in the fourth, icing the 13-10 victory.

"Give credit to our specialty units," Brecht said after RU converted on both extra man opportunities. "The man-up unit gave us two big goals, especially the game-winning goal with Scott Bieda, our captain, to Jules (Heningburg) down low, I was very proud of that group."

Jake Andersen saw his first game action of the season, playing the first half, making seven saves and earning the victory. Kris Alleyne made three saves in the second half. Rutgers held a 46-26 advantage in ground balls and 39-34 in shots.

Next up for the Scarlet Knights is a Saturday matchup against Monmouth, beginning at 12 p.m. at High Point Solution Stadium.

Postgame Notes

- Chad Toliver had a career-high three goals.
- Brian Goss scored three goals to tie a career-mark done twice previously, including last season at Wagner.
- Christian Trasolini had his second multi-goal game of the season.
- Christian Scarpello had his first collegiate point with an assist in the first quarter.
- Joe Nardella was 18-of-24 at the faceoff "X", his best faceoff game of the season.
- Nardella paced the team with 10 ground balls, his season high.
- Freshman Jules Heningburg totaled two goals and one assist for three points, tying his career-highs.
.- Pat Carotenuto recorded his first point of the season with a fourth quarter assist.
- Alex Hatzopoulos, Danny Plant, Jake Andersen, and Brian Lenskold made their season debut.