Men’s Lacrosse Alumns Excel in Professional Lacrosse
Oct 10 | Men's Lacrosse
A record 11 Rutgers alumni began the season on rosters across the two leagues professional leagues. As both Major League Lacrosse and the Premier Lacrosse League have concluded their seasons, let's check in on the performances of the Scarlet Knight alumns.
Premier Lacrosse League
Joe Nardella – Whipsnakes
In the inaugural season of the PLL, it was the Whipsnakes taking home the championship trophy, and they did so been excellent play at the faceoff 'X' from Joe Nardella. The league's leader with 85 ground balls, third in faceoff percentage and a nominee for Faceoff Specialist of the Year, Nardella won 127-of-234 faceoffs for a 54.2% winning percentage.
While at Rutgers: All-American, First Team All-Big Ten, Big Ten Specialist of the Year, Two-time All-BIG EAST
Jules Heningburg – Redwoods
Heningburg was a breakout star of the new league, as he finished with 21 goals and 33 points, both tied for the fourth most in the league, and helped the Redwoods advance to a championship game matchup with Nardella's Whipsnakes.
While at Rutgers: Two-time All-American, Two-time First Team All-Big Ten, 2nd all-time in points
Chris Mattes - Atlas
Mattes did not see game action, serving as the backup faceoff specialist.
While at Rutgers: All-American, First Team All-BIG EAST
Major League Lacrosse
Michael Rexrode – Denver Outlaws
Rexrode excelled as a starting defenseman of the Denver Outlaws, who he led into the league's championship game. He finished the year with 17 caused turnovers, which was seventh in the league, also scooping 35 ground balls.
While at Rutgers: Two-time All-American, Two-time First Team All-Big Ten, Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Big Ten Medal of Honor Recipient
Kyle Pless – Denver Outlaws
Pless played in nine games, primarily as a long-stick midfielder, collecting 14 ground balls and causing six turnovers as the team advanced to the league's title game.
While at Rutgers: All-American, All-Big Ten
Christian Mazzone – Atlanta Blaze
Mazzone had a dynamic impact at all ends of the field in a breakout effort in his first year with the Blaze. The midfielder had 42 points on 33 goals and nine assists, 47 ground balls, two caused turnovers in guiding the team to its first ever playoff berth.
While at Rutgers: All-American, All-Big Ten
Chad Toliver – Atlanta Blaze
Toliver played in three games for the Blaze before suffering an injury. In that time, he had two ground balls and two caused turnovers.
While at Rutgers: 58 games with 28 goals, nine assists and 19 ground balls
Max Edelmann – Atlanta Blaze
Edelmann saw action in 11 games while serving as the team's backup goalkeeper. He made 25 saves in that time.
While at Rutgers: All-American, First Team All-Big Ten, Big Ten Co-Specialist of the Year
Kris Alleyne – Dallas Rattlers
Alleyne saw action in five games for the Rattlers as a backup goalkeeper, allowing just one goal in 15 minutes of game time played.
While at Rutgers: First Team All-BIG EAST, BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year, 5th all-time in saves
Two other Scarlet Knights started the season on MLL rosters, but Garrett Michaeli (Chesapeake Bayhawks and Scott Bieda (NY Lizards) did not see game action this season.
Gallery: (10/10/2019) Men's Lacrosse Alumns in the Pros
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 Coach 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. For additional updates, please download the Scarlet Knights App via the app store or play store.
Premier Lacrosse League
Joe Nardella – Whipsnakes
In the inaugural season of the PLL, it was the Whipsnakes taking home the championship trophy, and they did so been excellent play at the faceoff 'X' from Joe Nardella. The league's leader with 85 ground balls, third in faceoff percentage and a nominee for Faceoff Specialist of the Year, Nardella won 127-of-234 faceoffs for a 54.2% winning percentage.
While at Rutgers: All-American, First Team All-Big Ten, Big Ten Specialist of the Year, Two-time All-BIG EAST
Jules Heningburg – Redwoods
Heningburg was a breakout star of the new league, as he finished with 21 goals and 33 points, both tied for the fourth most in the league, and helped the Redwoods advance to a championship game matchup with Nardella's Whipsnakes.
While at Rutgers: Two-time All-American, Two-time First Team All-Big Ten, 2nd all-time in points
Chris Mattes - Atlas
Mattes did not see game action, serving as the backup faceoff specialist.
While at Rutgers: All-American, First Team All-BIG EAST
Major League Lacrosse
Michael Rexrode – Denver Outlaws
Rexrode excelled as a starting defenseman of the Denver Outlaws, who he led into the league's championship game. He finished the year with 17 caused turnovers, which was seventh in the league, also scooping 35 ground balls.
While at Rutgers: Two-time All-American, Two-time First Team All-Big Ten, Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Big Ten Medal of Honor Recipient
Kyle Pless – Denver Outlaws
Pless played in nine games, primarily as a long-stick midfielder, collecting 14 ground balls and causing six turnovers as the team advanced to the league's title game.
While at Rutgers: All-American, All-Big Ten
Christian Mazzone – Atlanta Blaze
Mazzone had a dynamic impact at all ends of the field in a breakout effort in his first year with the Blaze. The midfielder had 42 points on 33 goals and nine assists, 47 ground balls, two caused turnovers in guiding the team to its first ever playoff berth.
While at Rutgers: All-American, All-Big Ten
Chad Toliver – Atlanta Blaze
Toliver played in three games for the Blaze before suffering an injury. In that time, he had two ground balls and two caused turnovers.
While at Rutgers: 58 games with 28 goals, nine assists and 19 ground balls
Max Edelmann – Atlanta Blaze
Edelmann saw action in 11 games while serving as the team's backup goalkeeper. He made 25 saves in that time.
While at Rutgers: All-American, First Team All-Big Ten, Big Ten Co-Specialist of the Year
Kris Alleyne – Dallas Rattlers
Alleyne saw action in five games for the Rattlers as a backup goalkeeper, allowing just one goal in 15 minutes of game time played.
While at Rutgers: First Team All-BIG EAST, BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year, 5th all-time in saves
Two other Scarlet Knights started the season on MLL rosters, but Garrett Michaeli (Chesapeake Bayhawks and Scott Bieda (NY Lizards) did not see game action this season.
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 Coach 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. For additional updates, please download the Scarlet Knights App via the app store or play store.
Players Mentioned
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