HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – A historic season for No. 9 Rutgers men's lacrosse came to a close on Saturday in the NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals, as No. 1 seed UNC captured an 12-11 victory in overtime. 

The Scarlet Knights had a tremendous effort throughout in battling the top seed to the bitter end. Adam Charalambides led the way with four goals while Colin Kirst was spectacular in the goal with 16 saves. Ross Scott, David Sprock and Connor Kirst each scored twice for RU, with Shane Knobloch adding a goal. 

"I'm so proud of this team and the success they had this year," head coach Brian Brecht said. "The commitment they had to make, the sacrifices. Our seniors were great leaders in every sense of the word. Our guys make this fun because they care so much, they take care of one another. It's been a great year. Disappointed we can't spend time together next week, but I'm very proud of everything they've done today and throughout the season."

Adam Charalambides got the Scarlet Knights on the board early for a 1-0 lead. Colin Kirst and the Scarlet Knights defense excelled in the opening quarter, with Kirst making four saves and the Scarlet Knights frustrating the high-powered UNC offense. After 15 minutes of action, the game was tied at 1-1.

In the second quarter, UNC stretched their lead to 3-1, but RU came back to tie it. Charalambides scored his second goal of the day, then Ross Scott carried the ball in following a timeout and put it home for a tie at 3-3. Behind 10 first half saves from Colin Kirst, the two teams were even at halftime.

Rutgers retook the lead on the opening possession of the second half, as David Sprock fired one in. Another goal following that from Ross Scott made it four straight tallies in the game coming from RU, with the Scarlet Knights taking a two-goal lead for the first time at 5-3. The teams then traded goals, with another Sprock tally making the score 6-4 in favor of Rutgers.

UNC came back with three straight goals to take a 7-6 lead, and the teams would fiercely battle back and forth to the final end. Rutgers got back in front at 8-7, then the Tar Heels evened the score at 8-8. 

The Scarlet Knights were then sparked by a pair of goals, with Ross Scott giving RU a 9-8 lead, then Connor Kirst scoring a spectacular backhanded finish for a 10-8 lead. 

UNC would not relent, coming back to tie the game at 10-10. Then it was Charalambides again, scoring his fourth of the day to give RU an 11-10 lead. Again, UNC had an answer, scoring right after the faceoff to tie the game at 11-11. On the final possession of regulation, the Scarlet Knights defense locked down the Tar Heels, and sent the game into overtime to guarantee a dramatic conclusion.

North Carolina had the ball first, and Colin Kirst once again came up with a huge save. RU could not convert at the offensive end, and UNC's Connor McCarthy scored the game winner with 1:38 left on the overtime clock. 
 
The result ended historic season a historic season for the Scarlet Knights. Rutgers won an NCAA Tournament game in the opening round for just the third time. While making the first appearance since 2004, Rutgers' win was the first program's since 1990.
 
Postgame Notes

• Rutgers finished the season 9-4, with all their losses coming to ranked teams, and three of the four losses being against seeded NCAA Tournament teams.
• Adam Charalambides had four points, reaching the 200-point milestone for his career. He tied James Ford with 201 career points for the fifth most all-time by a Scarlet Knight. 
• Charalambides' 61 points this season tied his career-best. 
• Charalambides finishes his Rutgers' career with 149 goals, the second most ever by a Scarlet Knight. 
• Kieran Mullins had one assist to finish his career with 103 assists, tying Scott Bieda for sixth all-time. 
• Mullins finishes his career second all-time at Rutgers in points (230) and seventh in goals (127)
• Colin Kirst had double-digit saves in 12 of his 13 saves, making 33 saves in two NCAA Tournament games
• Jonathan Dugenio went 15-of-27 at the faceoff 'X', with season-bests in faceoff winning percentage (55.6%) and ground balls (seven) 
• Brennan Kamish had a season-high two caused turnovers 
• Rutgers held UNC to 12 goals, their second lowest output of the season. UNC entered the game with the top scoring offense in the nation at 17.0 goals per game. 
• Rutgers held Tewaaraton Award Finalist Chris Gray to zero goals, snapping his 31-game scoring streak.

Postgame Student-Athlete Quotes

"This was a special group, especially with the year we were given. The returning guys were unbelievable leaders, especially welcoming me in to the program. With all the obstacles we had to deal with, the leadership on this team was exceptional. It's a true family. When we came back together in the spring, we became so close as a group. It was definitely special. The loss is disappointing, but at the same time, I'm happy to have been part of it."
- Colin Kirst

"I'm thankful for the buy-in we've had from top to bottom. It starts with Coach Brecht, he brought amazing cats in for this final year. Colin, Connor Kirst, Jonathan Dugenio, Brian Ward, all the transfers we've had. I'm thankful for everyone who joined us for this 2021 season. There was difficulties with Covid, but there was great buy in from everyone on the team. That's the beauty of a team, the beauty of sports. I'm thankful I got to be part of it." 
- Adam Charalambides