Rutgers Game Notes
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - No. 18 Rutgers men's lacrosse will play its second consecutive in-state opponent on Friday night, when the Scarlet Knights will host NJIT. The game will start at 7 p.m. and will also be streamed on BTN Plus. The first 250 fans will receive a free Rutgers window cling.
Rutgers is looking to return to the win column after consecutive losses to national powers. RU's unbeaten start was halted by road losses to then-No. 18 Stony Brook and six-time NCAA champion Princeton. Rutgers' top attack line, with a combined 47 goals scored in the first six games, stalled with just one goal on a rainy night in Princeton.
The Scarlet Knights have gotten strong play all season from its four-man rotation at defense. Michael Rexrode (14 GB, 5 CT), Branford Rogers (12 GB, 6 CT), and Alex Bronzo (4 GB, 3 CT) have been the primary starting group. Chris Groel has also earned a start and been a key contributor, including a career-high six ground balls at Princeton.
NJIT is in its second season of Division I lacrosse. The Highlanders are 0-8 this season and 0-20 overall. They have two common opponents with Rutgers this season, losing to Princeton (21-4) and Army (16-6). The team is led offensively by Joe Lomeli, who leads the team with 11 goals. In goal is Nick Marzullo, with 82 saves and a .421 save percentage. NJIT has been outscored 127-42 on the season.
Last season, Rutgers defeated NJIT 21-2 in a snow-covered March game at High Point Solutions Stadium. Among returners for Rutgers, Jules Heningburg and Scott Bieda each had four goals, while Ryan Hollingsworth and Connor Murphy scored twice in that game.
