March 23, 2017
Rutgers Game Notes
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - No. 1 Rutgers men's lacrosse continues a four-game road stretch, taking a trip down to Delaware for a 1 p.m. game on Saturday. The Scarlet Knights are one of four unbeaten teams remaining in the nation at 8-0, and with a win will mark their best start to a season in program history. RU previously started 8-0 in 1955. Rutgers could also tie its longest single-season win streak (done in 1982) with a ninth straight victory. The game will be live streamed on Blue Hens All Access, with radio coverage available on WRSU 88.7 FM.
"The nice thing about the timing of this matchup is that spring break is over, the midweek games are over, and there is no bigger game on our schedule than going down to Delaware," head coach Brian Brecht explained. "We have done a good job with our week of preparation. Our guys have a great deal of respect for the Delaware program and will be excited to go out there for the sixty minutes that we are given on gameday."
An improved defense has backed the Scarlet Knights in their rise to become the nation's top-ranked team for the first time in program history and the first program at Rutgers to rank No. 1 nationally since the 1995 men's soccer team. RU ranks number one in the nation with 11.13 caused turnovers per game, led by top defenseman Michael Rexrode, who paces the league with two per game. The team allows just 7.25 goals per game, with goalkeeper Max Edelmann posting ranking top-ten in the country in both save percentage (.581) and goals-against-average.
Offensively, freshman Kieran Mullins has emerged as the team's leading scorer with 19 goals and 29 points. He has recorded at least three goals in each of his past four games. Returning First Team All-Conference selection Jules Heningburg follows him with 14 goals and 13 assists.
Delaware, a team that is receiving votes in this week's national polls, is 6-3 on the season. The Blue Hens have already topped last season's win total of five. They are led offensively by Andrew Romagnoli, who has 26 goals and 33 points, while Charlie Kitchen has 21 goals and 11 assists. Matt Deluca has started six of the nine games in goal, as the team is 5-1 since switching to him between the pipes. He holds a 9.50 goals-against-average and .540 save percentage.
The Blue Hens are led by head coach Bob Shillinglaw, who will retire after this season, his 38th at Delaware. His associate head coach Byron Collins spent the 2014 season as a Rutgers assistant.
Rutgers is 17-9 all-time against Delaware. This is the third straight season that these two teams will play, with Rutgers claiming wins in 2015 (17-12) and 2016 (15-11). RU is 9-3 in road games at Delaware.
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 .
