Box Score

MADISON, N.J. - No. 5 Rutgers men's lacrosse got a pair of hat tricks from underclassmen, as freshman Kieran Mullins and redshirt sophomore Casey Rose scored three times apiece in a 10-6 road win against NJIT (0-8). The victory, which took place at Ranger Stadium on the campus of Drew University, ran RU's record to 8-0 on the season.

Mullins led the way with four points (three goals, one assist), while Rose (three goals) and senior Connor Murphy (two goals, one assist) each had three points. Jeff George and Jules Heningburg also tallied while Christian Scarpello added three assists.

Joe Francisco was 11-of-16 on faceoffs with a team-high seven ground balls. Christian Mazzone tied a career-high with six ground balls, while Chris Groel scooped five GBs. Charlie Nicklaus tied his career-high with a two caused turnovers, tying Kyle Pless for the team lead.

The Scarlet Knights outshot the Highlanders 35-26 and led 38-22 in ground balls. RU was 18-of-20 on clears. Aaron Forster led NJIT with five goals.

Rutgers and NJIT ended the first quarter tied at 2-2. George opened the scoring, and Mullins finished off a perfect transition play for goals, but each time the Highlanders answered to keep the game even after 15 minutes.

In the second quarter, Rutgers came back with the next two goals. Murphy jammed one home from in front, then Heningburg finished off a transition play for a 4-2 lead.

NJIT scored the next two goals, with Forster tallying twice, the second one coming on the extra-man. Late in the second quarter, Mullins scooped a ground ball and sent it home. That goal gave the Scarlet Knights a 5-4 lead, which they took into halftime.

In the second half, a long shot from Rose put RU back in front by two. Murphy followed that with a goal late in the third quarter that put the Scarlet Knights in front 7-4. Max Edelmann backed that up with a great save on a point-blank attempt to keep Rutgers in front by three goals after three frames.

Forster's fifth goal of the night cut the lead to 7-5 three minutes into the fourth quarter. Rose tallied twice more, and another goal from Mullins gave the final 10-6 margin.

"We've done some things very well up to this point" head coach Brian Brecht commented. "There's a lot of season left and we need to keep on getting better."

Postgame Notes

Rutgers improved to 8-0 on the season, marking the first time Rutgers has started a season 8-0 since 1955.

Mullins had at least three goals for fourth straight game.

That was the second hat trick this season for Rose.

Max Edelmann made eight saves, improving to 11-0 as a starter in his Rutgers career.

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