Feb. 25, 2016
Rutgers Game Notes
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Rutgers men's lacrosse will look to build on its impressive start to the 2016 campaign on Saturday afternoon, when it hosts Fairfield at 3 p.m. The Scarlet Knights (2-0) will face the Stags (0-2) for the first time since 2009.
The game will be live streamed on BTN Plus with Ralph Bednarczyk and Rick Mercurio on the call.
The first 250 fans to arrive at High Point Solutions Stadium for the game will receive a Rutgers winter hat. Tickets to the contest can be purchased here.
RU has open the year 2-0 after wins over St. John's (19-11) and at Army West Point (13-11). Leading the way has been two-time Big Ten Freshman of the Week Adam Charalambides, who has scored 10 goals in his first two collegiate games.
Fairfield leads the all-time series, 4-1. RU won the initial battle in 2004 in thrilling fashion, as Tim White scored with 12 seconds left in triple overtime for a 7-6 win. The series was then conducted annually in ECAC play from 2006 to 2009, with Fairfield taking those four matchups. Redshirt freshman Adam Charalambides leads the nation with 5.0 goals per game. Senior captain Scott Bieda has also had a strong start, as the Tewaaraton Award Watch List member was NCAA Offensive Player of the Week after a five-goal, four-assist performance in the opener, and then tallied the game-winning goal in the fourth quarter at Army. Rutgers has the top scoring offense in the Big Ten (sixth in the nation) with 16 goals per game.
The team has also been strong on the defensive end. Newcomer Max Edelmann has had two strong performances in goal, with 20 saves and seven ground balls. Long stick midfielder Zack Sikora has been a dominant two-way presence, recording 10 ground balls, causing two turnovers and scoring twice.
Fairfield is a squad with a strong history, winning games at a nearly .600 percentage in 10 years under head coach Andy Copelan. Last season, the Stags joined the Colonial Athletic Association, and responded by winning the regular season with a 9-6 mark in their first season, and producing 11 All-CAA honorees. The team was receiving votes in the preseason polls, and has been ranked in four straight seasons. They have started 0-2 this season after home losses to defending SoCon champ Richmond (11-10) and Bucknell (13-8). Fairfield's key player is TJ Neubauer, their leading returning scorer (31 goals in 2015), who currently leads the squad with four goals and eight ground balls.
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.
