PISCATAWAY, N.J. – No. 12 Rutgers men's lacrosse begins the 2019 season this Saturday as they will host Lafayette at 1 p.m. at HighPoint.com Stadium. The game is the earliest season opener in program history. There will be a live stream via BTN Plus with Lou Brogno and Tim Cataofamo on the call.

The Scarlet Knights enter the campaign following their third straight nine-win season last year, a program first. The team brings back two starters from last season's starting attack, junior Kieran Mullins (31 goals, 48 points) and sophomore Tommy Coyne (16 goals), while welcoming back 2016 Big Ten Freshman of the Year Adam Charalambides (43 goals in 2016) from injury. Midfielders Casey Rose (21 goals) and Ryan Gallagher (19 points) also return, giving RU significant firepower on the offensive end.

On the defensive end, RU features a Preseason All-American selection by Inside Lacrosse in long-stick midfielder Kyle Pless. Garrett Bullett returns on close defense after making 13 starts with 25 ground balls last season, while in the goal Preseason All-Big Ten selection Max Edelmann is the returning starter following a 9.52 goals-against-average last season.

"We're going into a bit of a new era for Rutgers lacrosse," head coach Brian Brecht said. "We've got a lot of veteran players back that have been a big part of what we've accomplished over the past few years and a talented young group of guys. There is a lot of energy as the team is excited to get this season underway."

Lafayette went 3-12 last season. Attackman Conor Walters for his senior season after scoring 28 goals and adding 21 assists for a team-best 49 points last season. Goalkeeper Jonathan Anastos posted a 13.88 goals-against-average and .433 save percentage in 2018. It will be the first game for new head coach Patrick Myers, while Lafayette assistant coach Scott Bieda returns "The Banks", where he played from 2012 to 2016 and was named the 2016 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year. 

This is the 15^th meeting between the two programs, with Rutgers winning the first 14. The last meeting came in 2012, with Rutgers winning 9-6 to give head coach Brian Brecht his first home win at the helm of the Scarlet Knights. Prior to that, the two teams had only played twice (1992 and 1993) since 1953.



Tickets for the 2019 season are on sale through the Rutgers Ticket Office online or by calling 1-866-445-GORU (4678).

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.