March 4, 2016
Rutgers Game Notes
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - No. 16 Rutgers men's lacrosse (4-0) hits the road for an in-state battle, travelling to West Long Branch Saturday for a matchup against the Monmouth Hawks. Game time is 2 p.m.
Rutgers has begun the season with four wins, and is looking to improve to 5-0 for the first time since 2003. The squad is ranked for the first time since 2011, rising as high as No. 16 in the USILA/Nike Coaches Poll.
The Scarlet Knights are buoyed by a potent starting attack line of senior Scott Bieda, sophomore Jules Heningburg and redshirt freshman Adam Charalambides. The trio has combined for 37 goals, which is the most of any starting attack in the nation. They have totaled 57 points, second most for any NCAA starting attack. RU is averaging 14.75 goals per game, most in the Big Ten. Rutgers also leads the conference in assists/game (9.0), points/game (23.75), ground balls/game (37.5) and shot percentage (.371).
Rutgers has also been strong on the defensive end. Senior Kris Alleyne stepped between the pipes last game and made 13 saves in the win over Wagner Tuesday. RU has stopped 55.1 percent of shots, best in the Big Ten. Defensively, the starting back line of Branford Rogers, Michael Rexrode and Alex Bronzo has been stout. They have been boosted by the play of defensive midfielders Christian Mazzone (team-high nine caused turnovers and 16 ground balls) and Christian Scarpello (13 ground balls), along with long stick midfielder Zack Sikora (team-high 17 ground balls). Those three will be gameday captains for the contest, along with fellow rope unit members Kyle Pless, Austin Divitcos, and Zackary Franckowiak.
Monmouth is sitting at 2-0 after wins over Jacksonville (11-5) and Wagner (8-4). The Hawks have not played since February 23, an extra seven days of preparation in a span where Rutgers has played twice. MU is led offensively by Bryce Wasserman (five goals, seven points), and in the cage by Nick Hreshko (19 saves, 4.50 GAA, .679 save percentage).
The all-time series between these two schools is 1-1, with Monmouth in its third season as a Division I program. Rutgers won the inaugural meeting, 20-4, before Monmouth upset RU 10-9 last season. Connor Murphy had four goals in the initial meeting, while Christian Trasolini (three goals) and Chad Toliver (two tallies) led RU offensively against the Hawks last season.
Monmouth Coach Bryan Fisher is a Rutgers alumni, appearing as a midfielder and faceoff man for the Scarlet Knights from 1998-2001, and the recipient of the Rutgers Lacrosse Knight Cup in 2001. Rutgers head coach Brian Brecht was an RU assistant in Fisher's senior season. Fisher also served as an assistant coach "On the Banks" for five seasons.
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.
