RVision: Season Preview Video

2016 Quick Facts

PISCATAWAY, N.J. - The Scarlet Knights' 5-10 record in 2015 was not indicative of the team's true performance. RU took six losses by one or two goals, battling top-teams such as Johns Hopkins, Princeton, Army and Maryland down to the wire. The season also saw the chance for head coach Brian Brecht to get valuable experience for his young core, with seven different underclassmen earning starts last season.

The year was capped on a high note with a 17-10 win over No. 10 Ohio State. The resounding victory provided a strong finish for the season and a spark heading into preparations for a big 2016 campaign.

"You saw it very clearly through February, through March and into April. We were playing much better lacrosse collectively and individually as the season went on," said Brecht.

Following a strong fall showing, a roster that returns the top three scorers from 2015 and features eight returning starters looks to pick up where it left off. The season gets underway on Feb. 13.

"The hope is you play those big games, you're competitive, you have those opportunities and you maybe fall a little short, but you do find opportunities to grow from that," said Brecht. "It's also nice to win, but as a growing program and a program that is taking steps in every aspect, hopefully that next step is the scoreboard."

Attacker Scott Bieda returns after leading Rutgers in goals (30), assists (28) and points (58) and earning First-Team All-Big Ten honors. He is eager for the beginning of the 2016 season that we see him continue his assault on the school's all-time scoring records as the lone captain of the Scarlet Knights.

"I think we had some ups and downs last year but I think we've finally come together," said Bieda. "We were young last year, especially defensively. We're one year better and we're more together as a team. Everyone is buying into what we want to accomplish at Rutgers.

"The fall showed it. Every day we got better in practice. We never took any days off; we never took a step backward. We were always getting better. It's exciting to see as a senior and a captain. I can't wait to see what the spring brings."

The schedule will again be a formidable one, with two of the six teams in the Big Ten lacrosse league reaching the Final Four and another (Ohio State) earning an NCAA Tournament bid. But Rutgers lost just three senior starters from a year ago.

"With the way we practiced this fall - the schedule is certainly going to be very challenging - I do think from everything I've seen and the way we've been moving as a program the goal is to turn those losses around that we were competitive in," Brecht said. "That's what we're looking to do. We have a four-team tournament in our conference in the postseason. We want to be in the top half of the Big Ten to play in the postseason. In order to that you're going to have to win games."

ATTACK

Bieda, Christian Trasolini and Jules Heningburg - the top three scorers, respectively, a year ago - are back. Trasolini is a consistent performer for RU, potting 26 goals last season. Heningburg was a freshman standout a year with 21 goals and eight assists. RU also looks to get contributions from players such as Ryan Hollingsworth (nine goals in 12 games last year), Connor Murphy (seven goals in 12 games last year) and the debut of redshirt freshman Adam Charlambides.

"We return our whole starting attack," Brecht said. "Bieda is a four-year starter, Trasolini has played a lot of big minutes in games and has scored a lot of goals for us and Heningburg, as a freshman (last year), had a very good year and we're hoping he takes that next step. Right now it's the most depth we've had since I've been here so it allows us to maybe to move some guys around on the offensive end, from attack to midfield."

MIDFIELD

With just one starter (Brian Goss) graduating, this is another area that has both depth and talent. Junior Jeff George tallied 13 goals and nine assists, while Chad Toliver had a strong freshman campaign in 2015 with 10 goals and five assists.

"We have almost the entire midfield group returning from last year with some younger guys who are going to be in the mix," said Brecht. "The offensive depth, whether it's in the attack or midfield, is one of the strengths we have going into the spring.

The rope unit looks to be strong, with RU using Christian Mazzone and Christian Scarpello as defensive midfielders and returns All-Big Ten selection Zack Sikora as the starting long-stick midfielder.

"We started two defensive midfielders last year as freshmen in Christian Mazzone and Christian Scarpello. Both were injured two years ago," Brecht explained. "They just needed to play and they should benefit from last year. Zack Sikora, our long stick middie was an all-Big Ten performer last year and he's back. Just like the attack the defensive midfield unit has a lot of returning experience and depth that we have not had in the past."

DEFENSE

The defensive unit is experienced, losing just Nick Capparelli to graduation. RU will look for growth from Michael Rexrode, who flashed as a freshman in 11 games last season, alongside returning starters such Branford Rogers and Chris Groel.

"We return five of our starting six players," said Brecht. "Michael Rexrode, Branford Rogers, Chris Goel, Zack Sikora and Alex Bronzo, who rotated at the pole with Sikora and can maybe move down low to give us more depth on the close defense, are all back. You're talking about having a lot of guys to look to in terms of experience."

FACEOFF

Rutgers' key challenge this season will be finding a successor to Joe Nardella at the faceoff 'X'. Nardella, an All-American last season, was one of the best in the nation, winning 66.9 percent of his draws taken. With Nardella off to the professional ranks, the Scarlet Knights will look for either Joe Francisco (6-of-16 on faceoffs last season) or Alex Schoen (3-of-6) to take his spot. While both saw only limited action in the fall (Francisco due to injury and Schoen playing wide receiver on the football team), the two have worked tirelessly to try and pick up where Nardella left off.

"That's probably the one question mark that we have going into this season," Brecht explained. "We have two guys that are in the program right now that did a great job of training and working with Joe and helping him become the player that he was for us. Both of them, with the way they train and compete, we're hoping that they can emerge and help us fill the void."

GOALKEEPERS

Rutgers returns last season's starting goalkeeper in Kris Alleyne, who made 95 saves in 2015. He will be pushed by newcomer Max Edelmann, who was a NJCAA All-American last season at the junior college level. RU also saw Alex Larson see action in two games as a freshman last season.

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.