Box Score

Video: First Half Goals

PISCATAWAY, N.J. - A snowy evening on the first day of spring did not deter the Rutgers offense, as the Scarlet Knights(4-6)scored a season-high 21 goals en route to a 21-2 victory over NJIT (0-6). Brian Goss scored a career-high five goals, freshman Jules Heningburg set a new career-best with four scores, and Scott Bieda had four tallies in the victory that closed out the team's non-conference slate.

"I'm proud of the team's effort in adverse conditions," head coach Brian Brecht said. "They stayed focused and took care of themselves. It was a good team win. We've had good momentum over the past two weeks. Going into Big Ten play, there are a lot of experiences we can pull from that. I'm excited right now to get ready for Big Ten lacrosse."

The Scarlet Knights scored early and often, taking a 4-0 lead after one quarter on two Bieda goals and tallies from Heningburg and freshman Chad Toliver.

NJIT scored the game's next goal, but RU responded with three more. The Highlanders tallied next before a five-goal flurry put the home squad ahead 12-2 at halftime. In the second quarter, Goss got going with four of his five goals. Connor Murphy and Ryan Hollingsworth each scored the first of a pair of goals for each on the evening.

Rutgers starters added to their ledgers; with Rutgers taking a 17-2 lead after three frames. In the fourth quarter, Rutgers got extended minutes from its bench. Jacob Coretti and Pat Carotenuto each scored their first goals of the season, before freshman Liam King scored the first goal of his collegiate career to cap the 21-2 victory.

For the game, Rutgers held a 37-23 advantage in shots, 26-17 edge in ground balls, and was 16-of-26 at the faceoff "X". Kris Alleyne played the first three quarters and made four saves to earn the win, improving to 3-4 on the year.

Next up for the Scarlet Knights is its inaugural Big Ten matchup, a road battle with Johns Hopkins at 2 p.m. on Saturday. The game will be televised nationally by ESPNU.

Postgame Notes
· The 21 goals were the most Rutgers has scored this season and its highest output since scoring 20 last season March 8 against Monmouth.
·Thelast time RU scored at least 21 goals was Feb. 21, 2010 at Wagner.
· The two goals scored by NJIT were the lowest total by a RU opponent this season. The last time that Rutgers allowed just two goals or less was April 1, 2008, at 13-2 win over Manhattan.
· It was the season debut for sixplayers: Liam King, Patrick McCabe, Joshua Matanin, Christopher Peters, Steve Hillenbrandand Luke Enzweiler.
· It was the collegiate debut for freshmen King and Hillenbrand and the sophomore McCabe.
·Bieda's seven points were a new career-high.
· Bieda and Christian Trasolini are now tied for the team-high with 22 goals.
·Bieda's 22 goals are a new career-high.
· Goss passed 75 career points with a five-point evening.
· Murphy had his first multi-goal game of the season.
· Joe Nardella was 14-of-17 on faceoffs. He is 155-of-223 (.695) on the year, best in the Big Ten and top-three in the nation.
· Heningburg had a career-high six points and two assists.