Feb. 29, 2016
Rutgers Game Notes
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - No. 16 Rutgers men's lacrosse resumes action on Tuesday afternoon with a road contest at 3 p.m. at Wagner. The Scarlet Knights enter the contest at 3-0 after a win Saturday against Fairfield, while the Seahawks are at 1-2, last playing on February 23. There will be a free live video stream of the game at NECFrontRow.com.
The Scarlet Knights are off to an unbeaten record to start the regular season and have entered the national polls, ranking as high as No. 16 in the USILA/Nike Coaches poll. That ranking is the first for the team since 2011 and the highest since 2005.
"We've got to prepare for heading on the road, focusing on ourselves and getting better," head coach Brian Brecht explained. "We'll get to know our opponent quickly with the short turnaround and have a great opportunity to keep maturing and taking steps forward."
Rutgers has the top offense in the Big Ten, averaging 14.67 goals and 23.33 points per game. Offensively, Rutgers is led by a dynamic front line in Scott Bieda (seven goals, 10 assists), Adam Charalambides (13 goals, two assists) and Jules Heningburg (eight goals, three assists). Charalambides leads the league with 4.33 goals per game. Bieda tops the conference leaderboard with 5.67 points per game, with Charalambides just behind him at 5.0 points per game.
Wagner won its season opener 15-8 over Manhattan. The Seahawks have since dropped contests at Lafayette (12-7) and against Monmouth (8-4). Offensively Patrick McMenamin holds the team lead with seven goals, while Andrew Streilein joins him with a team-leading eight points. Matt Sefick has played all 180 minutes in net, stopping 23 shots and allowing 28 goals for a .451 save percentage and 9.33 goals-against average.
Rutgers holds a 7-0 advantage in the lifetime series against Wagner, which has been contested annually since 2009. The Scarlet Knights have outscored the Seahawks 120 -- 40 in the seven matchups. Last season in Piscataway, RU won 13-10, led by hat tricks from returners Brian Goss and Chad Toliver, and five points (two goals, three assists) from Bieda.
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.
