SAN DIEGO - Rutgers men's lacrosse was represented by a variety of standout performances in the 2023 World Lacrosse Championships, held this past week in San Diego. RU was represented by athletes on Team Italy, Philippines, England and Australia, as well as coaches with Team USA, Ireland and Haudenosaunee.
Italy - 9th Place Finish
Christian Trasolini
The 2018 RU graduate contributed to Italy's offense with 10 goals across seven games, with four muilti-goal games, highlighted by a hat trick a win over Germany. He added three assists for 13 total points.
Bobby Russo
The 2023 team captain excelled on defense for Team Italy, making an impact with seven caused turnovers, 16 ground balls and two goals.
(Pictured: Christian Trasolini (Left) and Bobby Russo (Right) with RU alumn and B1G+ color commentator Rick Mercurio
England - Sixth Place Finish
Christian Scarpello
A short-stick defensive midfield at RU and with the PLL's Waterdogs, Scarpello saw time on attack for Team England in leading them to sixth place. Scarpello had seven goals, including a game-winning overtime goal in overtime aganist Puerto Rico, one of his four goals on the day.
Australia - 4th Place
Mitch Baker
Baker, who spent the 2023 season at RU, led Australia to fourth place, the highest finish of any player with RU connections. Baker had four goals and eight assists for 12 points in seven games.
Philippines - 15th Place
2023 RU graduate Jon Dugenio excelled at the faceoff 'X' for Team Philippines. Dugenio went 89-of-108 on faceoffs, finishing with the most faceoff wins of anyone in the Tournament and second best faceoff percentage in the event. He also added 14 points on 10 goals and 4 assists, and had 56 ground balls. Dugenio was recognized by Inisde Lacrosse as one of their top 10 players in the tournament who were not selected for the All-Tournament Team, and by the Lacrosse Network as the Top Faceoff Specialist in the event on their All-World Team.
Coaches
Jon Danowski - Team USA - First Place
RU alumn John Danowski took the helm of Team USA, leading them to a gold medal. Danowski played at Rutgers from 1973 to 1976, and was part of three NCAA Tournament teams. He led RU in assists in three separate seasons, and is currently second all-time at RU in assists (120).
Chris Doctor - Team Haudenosaunee - Third Place
Doctor served as an assistant coach for Team Haudenosaunee, as the team earned a bronze medal for a third place finish. Doctor, who played at RU from 2004 to 2007, twice led the team in assists.
Peter Dolan - Team Ireland - 12th Place
Dolan, a member of Team Ireland's coaching staff since 2021, returned to the coaching staff of Team Ireland, previously serving on their staff for the U-21 World Championships last summer. He helped guide the staff to a 12th place finish.
