March 4, 2017
Box Score
Video: Highlights
Video: Mullins Scores 3 Times in Fourth Quarter
Photo Gallery
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - No. 10 Rutgers men's lacrosse improved to 5-0 on the season Saturday, claiming a 13-11 win over No. 19 Brown. The victory was the team's 11th straight at home and the 600th in the program's history.
"That's why these guys came to Rutgers," head coach Brian Brecht said. "They wanted to play big time games at home and represent this great institution. I am proud of them today. Players make plays, and we had a lot of players making a lot of plays all over the field today. This was a great win for the program."
Freshman Kieran Mullins had a game-high four goals. With the score tied at 10-10 in the final quarter, he tallied three times in the final minutes to ensure a Scarlet Knights victory.
Jeff George contributed two goals and two assists on the day, while Christian Scarpello also found the back of the net twice. Christian Mazzone (one goal, two assists), Mark Christiano (one goal, one assist) and Jules Heningburg (two assists) also had multi-point days. Chad Toliver, Joe Francisco and Connor Murphy each also added a goal.
The Rutgers defense held the nation's top scoring offense (21 goals per game entering) to just 11 scores. The starting defense trio combined for 13 ground balls and forced nine turnovers.
"We have a very mature defense," Brecht explained. "They prepared extremely well. They understood who they were playing. They understood playing to their strengths. I thought Michael Rexrode did a great job on Dylan Molloy. Chris Groel and Alex Bronzo were outstanding, as always. And that rope unit continues to impress me. We ask a lot of them, and today they were very, very good."
Rutgers held a 50-36 advantage in ground balls and was 20-of-22 on clears. They forced Brown into 22 turnovers.
The Bears held the advantage throughout the opening stanza. The visitors opened up with a 3-1 lead before Rutgers came back with two quick goals to tie the game. Brown responded with a three goal run for their largest lead of the day at 6-3 with eight minutes on the second quarter clock.
From that point, Rutgers outscored the visitors 10-5 over the final 37 minutes. Two late first half goals brought that deficit down to 6-5.
To start the second half, Francisco won the faceoff, carried down and scored to tie the game. However, Brown came back with two goals to answer.
Rutgers responded with a three-goal run in a three-minute span for a 9-8 lead. After back-and-forth action, the game went into the final stanza knotted up at 10-10.
The fourth quarter was freshman Kieran Mullins time to shine. Finishing off feeds from Christian Mazzone (twice) and Jules Heningburg, the Islip, N.Y. native scored three of the games final four goals to put the game away. With the game in the balance at 12-11 RU with just over two minutes to play, he provided a crucial insurance marker to ensure the 13-11 victory.
Next up for the Scarlet Knights is a game next Friday against No. 18 Stony Brook. It will be a battle of unbeaten teams, as the Scarlet Knights (5-0) will host the 4-0 Seawolves at 6 p.m.
Postgame Notes
The win was the 600th in program history, making Rutgers the 12th Division I team to reach that milestone.
Dating back to a 17-10 win over then-No. 10 Ohio State in 2015, Rutgers has won 11 consecutive games at High Point Solutions Stadium.
Bronzo set career-highs in ground balls (five) and caused turnovers (five).
Francisco won a career-best 14 faceoffs. He was 14-of-25 (.560) at the 'X'. He also set a career-high with 11 ground balls, leading the team.
Mullins had his first career hat trick, finishing with four goals.
Rexrode had four caused turnovers, tying his career-high, while matched up on 2016 Tewaaraton Award Winner Dylan Molloy. He also scooped three ground balls.
George had two goals (tying his career-high) and added two assists.
Groel had five ground balls and now has 22 through five games.
Max Edelmann made eight saves in the victory, and improved to 8-0 in his career as Rutgers' starting goalkeeper.
Rutgers' two long-stick midfielders, Kyle Pless and Garrett Michaeli, each had two caused turnovers and two ground balls.
Rutgers had 50 ground balls, its most in a game under head coach Brian Brecht.
Dating back to last season, Rutgers has won four of its past six matchups against ranked teams.
This was the first meeting of Rutgers and Brown since 1966. The Scarlet Knights now own a 2-1 series lead.
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.
