May 7, 2016
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Video: Postgame Press Conference
BALTIMORE - No. 18 Rutgers men's lacrosse came up just short in its bid for the Big Ten Tournament title, falling to No. 3 Maryland 14-8 on Saturday at Homewood Field. The Scarlet Knights record stands at 11-5 on the season.
Maryland improved to 14-2 with the victory. The Terrapins won both the Big Ten regular season and Tournament Championship.
The Scarlet Knights were led by three goals from Adam Charalambides and two tallies from Christian Trasolini. Charalambides scored eight goals in the two tournament games. He now has 43 goals on the year, most ever by a Rutgers first-year player.
"I'm very proud of how hard the team played tonight and the energy they come with every game," head coach Brian Brecht said. "Unfortunately, when you compete for championships, there's only one winner. I tip my hat to Maryland, they're a seasoned, elite team. It's challenging every week playing in the Big Ten, which has some of the best competition in the country. We were excited to represent Rutgers as the No. 2 seed, get a big win over Johns Hopkins Thursday night, and have a chance to compete tonight."
Rutgers also got goals from Zack Sikora and Jules Heningburg. Kris Alleyne made nine saves. Maryland outshot RU 47-38. Rutgers won the ground ball battle 28-23.
Early on the game was knotted at 2-2. Charalambides scored the first goal of the day on a dunk, putting home a feed from Bieda. Later it was Trasolini who uncorked a laser, with the assist going to Christian Scarpello.
However, Maryland scored three straight goals to end the quarter. UMD beat the buzzer with an odd angle shot to lead 5-2 after one frame.
Rutgers came back with a transition goal, with Charalambides scoring his second. He would complete the hat trick later in the quarter, and Sikora finished off a transition break with a goal, but the Terrapins held a 9-5 lead after 30 minutes.
The two teams exchanged a pair of goals apiece to start the third quarter. But the Terrapins scored the next three goals to pull away.
The Scarlet Knights will now await the NCAA Tournament Selection Show, which will air Sunday at 9 p.m. on ESPNU.
Notes
Rutgers was represented on the All-Tournament team by Adam Charalambides, Zackary Franckowiak and Scott Bieda.
With 43 goals this season, Charalambides is tied for 5th place on Rutgers' single-season goals list.
He passed the program's all-time leading scorer, Keith Cromwell, for most goals by a Rutgers rookie.
Bieda passed Tom Sweeney for 6th place all-time at RU with 191 career points.
The senior now has 90 career goals.
Trasolini had multiple goals for the fourth time this year and the second time in the past three games.
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.
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