Three Men’s Lacrosse Alumns Excel in NLL
May 20 | Men's Lacrosse
Charalambides (Warriors), Nardella (Firewolves) and Kirst (Desert Dogs) all have strong indoor pro seasons
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers men's lacrosse had three alumni excel during the indoor season of professional lacrosse in the National Lacrosse League. Adam Charalambides (Vancouver Warriors), Connor Kirst (Las Vegas Desert Dogs) and Joe Nardella (Albany Firewolves) all had strong campaigns during the 2023-24 NLL season.
Charalambides had a profilic season on offense, scoring 37 goals and adding 61 assists for 98 points, his best NLL campaign to date. Charalambides led the Warriors in assists and was second in goals and points. He also collected 84 loose balls, fifth on the team. In three seasons with the Warriors, Charalambides has scored 72 goals and added 132 assists in 53 games. Charalambides helped Vancouver to 8 wins, just missing out on a playoff spot on tiebreakers. He was 14th in the league in points and 18th in goals scored.
While at Rutgers, the Georgetown, Ontario native scored 149 goals (second all-time at RU) and had 201 points (fifth at RU). The 2016 Big Ten Freshman of the Year was a two-time First Team All-Big Ten selection and an All-American in 2021.
Kirst played in 18 games for the Las Vegas Desert Dogs, making an all-around impact. He compiled 12 goals and four assists for 16 points, with 146 loose balls and 32 caused turnovers. He won 68 of 176 faceoffs. He finished fifth in the NLL in caused turnovers and 13th in the league in loose balls, pacing his squad in both categories. He also received the "Teammate of the Year" award from his squad.
The Bernardsville, N.J. native had a huge impact for RU in his 2021 season 'On the Banks', helping Rutgers return to the NCAA Tournament and advance to the Elite Eight. He was second on that team with 37 goals and 53 points, adding 16 assists, and was named a Third Team All-American, First Team All-Big Ten and Scholar All-American.
Nardella helped the Firewolves make the playoffs during his return to game action after missing the past PLL season with an injury, as the team had 11 wins, third most in the league as made a historic run for the club to the NLL finals, where they fell short to the Buffalo Bandits.
During the regular season, Nardella won 68% on faceoffs, fourth in the league. He won 311 out of 458 draws. In the 18 regular season games, he added two goals and three assists with 167 loose balls (fifth in the league) and 16 caused turnovers.
While at Rutgers, Nardella was a Third Team All-American, and the Big Ten Specialist of the Year in 2015. He was a three-time All-Conference selection, finishing his career as a First Team All-Big Ten pick in the first year of the Big Ten. The Cazenovia, N.Y. native played in 59 games at RU, scoring 13 goals with 26 assists, and was 760-of-1222 on faceoffs for a 62.2% winning percentage, picking up 440 ground balls.
Next up in the professional lacrosse ranks is the Premier Lacrosse League season, which begins on June 1. Rutgers will be well represented once again in PLL play, with a double-digit amount of former Scarlet Knights looking at being on PLL rosters.
Charalambides had a profilic season on offense, scoring 37 goals and adding 61 assists for 98 points, his best NLL campaign to date. Charalambides led the Warriors in assists and was second in goals and points. He also collected 84 loose balls, fifth on the team. In three seasons with the Warriors, Charalambides has scored 72 goals and added 132 assists in 53 games. Charalambides helped Vancouver to 8 wins, just missing out on a playoff spot on tiebreakers. He was 14th in the league in points and 18th in goals scored.
While at Rutgers, the Georgetown, Ontario native scored 149 goals (second all-time at RU) and had 201 points (fifth at RU). The 2016 Big Ten Freshman of the Year was a two-time First Team All-Big Ten selection and an All-American in 2021.
An @NLL Season to remember for Adam Charalambides (@bides8)! 🫡
— Vancouver Warriors (@VanWarriors) May 6, 2024
🌟 98 Regular Season Points (Career High, 2nd in Team)
🌟 37 Goals (Career High, 2nd in Team)
🌟 61 Assists (Career High, 1st in Team) pic.twitter.com/hPKwcFHSO1
Kirst played in 18 games for the Las Vegas Desert Dogs, making an all-around impact. He compiled 12 goals and four assists for 16 points, with 146 loose balls and 32 caused turnovers. He won 68 of 176 faceoffs. He finished fifth in the NLL in caused turnovers and 13th in the league in loose balls, pacing his squad in both categories. He also received the "Teammate of the Year" award from his squad.
The Bernardsville, N.J. native had a huge impact for RU in his 2021 season 'On the Banks', helping Rutgers return to the NCAA Tournament and advance to the Elite Eight. He was second on that team with 37 goals and 53 points, adding 16 assists, and was named a Third Team All-American, First Team All-Big Ten and Scholar All-American.
Nardella helped the Firewolves make the playoffs during his return to game action after missing the past PLL season with an injury, as the team had 11 wins, third most in the league as made a historic run for the club to the NLL finals, where they fell short to the Buffalo Bandits.
During the regular season, Nardella won 68% on faceoffs, fourth in the league. He won 311 out of 458 draws. In the 18 regular season games, he added two goals and three assists with 167 loose balls (fifth in the league) and 16 caused turnovers.
While at Rutgers, Nardella was a Third Team All-American, and the Big Ten Specialist of the Year in 2015. He was a three-time All-Conference selection, finishing his career as a First Team All-Big Ten pick in the first year of the Big Ten. The Cazenovia, N.Y. native played in 59 games at RU, scoring 13 goals with 26 assists, and was 760-of-1222 on faceoffs for a 62.2% winning percentage, picking up 440 ground balls.
Next up in the professional lacrosse ranks is the Premier Lacrosse League season, which begins on June 1. Rutgers will be well represented once again in PLL play, with a double-digit amount of former Scarlet Knights looking at being on PLL rosters.
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