Rutgers Game Notes
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - No. 18 Rutgers men's lacrosse team renews an in-state rivalry Monday night, playing at Princeton at 7 p.m. The series is the most-played contest for Rutgers men's lacrosse, dating back to 1922. The contest will be live-streamed by the Ivy League Digital Network.
Rutgers enters the contest at 5-1, taking its first loss of the season on Friday night at No. 18 Stony Brook. Midfielder Christian Trasolini got hot in that contest, scoring two goals and adding two assists to lead RU. Redshirt freshman attackman Adam Charalambides, who was recently ranked the No. 1 freshman in the nation by Inside Lacrosse, also scored twice. He has 19 goals, most on the team and second in the Big Ten.
Princeton holds a 60-29-3 lead in the all-time series. After Rutgers won six consecutive times from 1984 to 1989, the Tigers took hold of the series. RU has defeated Princeton just one since 1989, a 8-5 win in 2005. Colin Checcio and Austin Rogers each scored twice in that game for the Scarlet Knights. Last season Rutgers led 9-7 after three quarters, but Princeton scored five consecutive goals to ensure the win.
The two schools have played for the Harland W. "Tots" Meistrell Cup since 1958. Through the efforts of Meistrell, lacrosse was reinstated at RU in 1920. Following that season, Meistrell went to Princeton and re-started the program there. Meistrell was inducted into the US Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1962.
Princeton enters the game at 1-3. They have taken consecutive losses to Big Ten opponents, Johns Hopkins (17-7) and Maryland (17-5). They also dropped an OT contest at Hofstra. The Tigers are led by Ryan Ambler (six goals, 10 assists) and Riley Thompson (six goals, three assists). Tyler Blaisdell is the main goalkeeper (.435 save percentage, 13.08 goals-against average), and Sam Bonafede is their leader at the faceoff "X" (18-of-46, .391).
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.
