Rutgers University
University of Delaware
MLAX Topples Delaware
Mar 14 | Men's Lacrosse
Box Score
NEWARK, Del. - Rutgers used a huge offensive effort to get a road victory over Delaware, as the Scarlet Knights (3-5) outscored the Blue Hens (3-5) by a 17-12 margin on Saturday afternoon. Captain Scott Bieda scored a career-high five goals, while Christian Trasolini scored four times in the victory.
"I'm proud of the team and how they went about this week," head coach Brian Brecht said. "They were very focused in the attention to details and the business-like approach with our travel and preparation. This team keeps getting better every week and we keep learning more about our personnel as a staff, how we can play, and what works best to have success."
Rutgers got off to a strong start, scoring on its first two possessions. After winning the opening faceoff, Nardella fed Christian Scarpello for the freshman's first career goal. On the second possession, it was captain Brian Goss firing the ball into the net for a quick 2-0 RU lead.
Delaware countered with two quick goals of its own, tying the score just four minutes into the game. Nardella helped the Scarlet Knights strike back, scoring his first goal of the season just 18 seconds later.
The Blue Hens scored the next two, going ahead 4-3 at 6:58 of the first quarter. But Rutgers answered with a flurry of goals, scoring three times in 55 seconds. Connor Murphy, Nardella, and Bieda all tallied within a minute to push the Scarlet Knights in front 6-4.
Delaware gained an extra man opportunity, converting to cut the lead to 6-5, and shortly made it 6-6 after the first quarter.
Rutgers opened the second quarter strong. Bieda potted his second goal of the day to push RU back in front, and freshman Jules Heningburg converted on an extra-man opportunity to give the visitors a two-goal lead at 8-6. Trasolini got into the act next, as his goal gave Rutgers a three-goal cushion.
Delaware tallied twice in the final minute of the first half, but Trasolini added another goal, and RU held a 10-8 lead at halftime.
The Scarlet Knights controlled the third quarter, outscoring the Blue Hens 5-2 in the frame. Bieda scored twice to open the quarter, but Delaware answered with two more. Jeff George scored his first goal of the day, followed by two more from Trasolini to give Rutgers a 15-10 lead after three quarters.
Early in the fourth, Bieda found the back of the cage for the fifth time on the day. Freshman Chad Toliver added a goal late, and Rutgers finished off the 17-12 victory.
The Scarlet Knights return home for two games next week. First up is an in-state showdown against Princeton at 6 p.m. on Tuesday night.
POSTGAME NOTES
· Scott Bieda's five goals were a career-high, surpassing his previous career high of three.
· Christian Trasolini had four goals (tying his previous career-high) for the third time this season, and fifth in his career.
· The 17 goals represented the most goals scored for Rutgers this season.
· Jeff George had a career-high four assists and five points.
· Joe Nardella had his first career multi-goal game and had a career-best five points.
·Nardella was 18-of-31 on faceoffs and had a season-high 13 ground balls.
· Freshman Christian Scarpello scored his first career goal.
· Connor Murphy (one goal, one assist) had his first multi-point game of the season.
· Kris Alleyne made 10 saves to earn his second win of the season. Rutgers goalkeepers have recorded double-digit saves in every victory this season.
· Christian Mazzone scooped a career-high five ground balls.
