PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The next wave of Rutgers men's lacrosse products is set to join the professional lacrosse ranks following Tuesday night's PLL Draft. Colin Kirst was selected by the Cannons in the Third Round with the 24^th overall pick. Mitch Bartolo was drafted by the Redwoods in the Fourth Round with the 27^th overall pick.

Rutgers now has 10 alumns currently on PLL roster. That number is tied for third most among all colleges and is second most among Big Ten schools. 

Kirst has excelled in two seasons as Rutgers' starting goalkeeper, twice being named First Team All-Big Ten, and was tabbed as a Third Team All-American last season and an Honorable Mention All-American this season by USA Lacrosse Magazine. He was the second goalkeeper off the board in the PLL Draft. The Bernardsville, N.J. native holds a 10.87 goals-against-average and .548 save percentage with a 22-7 record during his time as RU's starting netminder, with 68 ground balls and eight caused turnovers. A selection to the Big Ten All-Tournament Team last week and member of the Tewaaraton Award Top 25 Watch List, the Seton Hall Prep product serves as a team captain. He will join former teammate Adam Charalambides on the Cannons roster.

"His athleticism, he really pops and makes that dramatic save. He makes the acrobatic, jaw dropping save," Paul Carcaterra said on the ESPNU broadcast. "Rutgers likes to press and he's got good outlets. If you want to push, Kirst is your type of guy. He and his family, they love lacrosse. Don't underestimate that. Kirst is going to do a lot on his own to make it as a pro."

Bartolo ranks second on the Scarlet Knights this season with 38 goals, while his 13 assists give him 51 points, also second on RU. The Norwalk, Ct. native and transfer from Penn he scored four goals to lead RU in a Big Ten Semifinals win over No. 12 Ohio State, all four goals coming in the second half, to earn All-Tournament honors. The attackman at RU, who has also played midfield in the past and may do so at the pro level, has added 24 groundballs this season while being on the initial Tewaaraton Award Watch List. Bartolo joins a Redwoods squad that also features former RU All-American Jules Heningburg.

"His calling card is shooting from the outside," Carcaterra explained of Bartolo. "He can hammer it, he is not scared to let it fly."

Last season, RU was represented by eight alumns in the PLL: Joe Nardella and Connor Kirst (Whipsnakes), Christian Mazzone and Christian Scarpello (Waterdogs), Michael Rexrode and Kyle Pless (Atlas), Jules Heningburg (Redwoods) and Adam Charalambides (Cannons).

Rutgers also had three players represent RU in this season's indoor league. Adam Charalambides (Vancouver Warriors), Joe Nardella (Albany Firewolves) and Connor Kirst (Georgia Swarm) all excelled during this season's NLL action.

Entering the draft, Rutgers men's lacrosse boasted a total of 37 alumni all-time between Major League Lacrosse (MLL), the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) and the National Lacrosse League (NLL). This success placing players in the pros has been accelerated recently, with 24 alumni coached at RU by current head coach Brian Brecht to go on to the professional level.