MLAX Represented on MLL Rosters
Apr 09 | Men's Lacrosse
PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- The Major League Lacrosse schedule gets underway this weekend with six teams in action on Sunday afternoon. Once again, Rutgers lacrosse will be well represented across league rosters, with six former players suiting up this season and three others with Rutgers ties set to take part in the 2015 campaign.
Two members of last season's MLL Champion Denver Outlaws will look to defend their title, as Justin Pennington and Chris O'Dougherty are members of the Outlaws again this season. Pennington was a USILA Honorable Mention All-American for the Scarlet Knights in both 2008 and 2010, while O'Dougherty was a 2007 USILA Honorable Mention All-American and 2009 Rutgers graduate. Denver opens its season at the Boston Cannons on Sunday.
The Florida Launch will also boast two Rutgers alumni this season. 2011 USILA All-American Chris Mattes played in all 13 games for Florida last season and begins his fifth professional season. Duncan Clancy, who played four seasons at Rutgers, will look to make his professional debut for the Launch this season. The opener for the Launch comes April 19 at the Chesapeake Bayhawks.
Brendan Porter will be on the Boston Cannons this season. The recipient of the 2010 Knight Cup played four games for the Cannons in his first professional season in 2014.
Scott Klimchak will be a member of the Ohio Machine practice squad. Klimchak was a four-year letterwinner at Rutgers from 2010 to 2014, and finished his career "On the Banks" with 124 goals, which ranks sixth all-time in Rutgers history.
Current Rutgers senior Joe Nardella was drafted 36th overall by the Boston Cannons in the 2015 MLL Draft. Nardella ranks third in the nation in faceoff winning percentage (.686) and second in the nation with 102 ground balls.
Current Rutgers assistant coach Jesse Bernhardt will also suit up in the MLL this season as a member of the Chesapeake Bayhawks. Bernhardt was the number four overall selection in the 2013 MLL Draft and led the Bayhawks to the MLL Championship that season.
Former Rutgers player and coach Keith Cromwell will return to the sidelines as an Associate Head Coach for the New York Lizards. The 12-year MLL veteran is the all-time leading scorer in Rutgers history with 266 career points and 152 goals, and was a three-time All-American.
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 .
