Men’s Lacrosse: 2026 Season Recap
Jul 09 | Men's Lacrosse
Rutgers men’s lacrosse wrapped up an eight-win campaign in 2026 that included three victories over NCAA Tournament teams, highlighted by a thrilling ranked comeback win in double-overtime over No. 11 Johns Hopkins.
Against the Blue Jays, the Scarlet Knights overcame three separate two-goal deficits and finished the game on a 3-0 run over the final 22 minutes of gameplay. After trailing 8-6 in regulation with five minutes to play, it was Kasey Mongillo who scored the game-tying goal with just one second remaining on the clock, with his shot from long range beating the buzzer to send the game into extra time. After holding JHU off the board for the final 22 minutes, Haydn Sommer put home the game-winner to give RU the victory in double-overtime.
Rutgers had a strong performance in non-conference play, including downing Villanova and future NCAA squads Jacksonville and Stony Brook. All but one of RU’s losses came to ranked foes, including the eventual NCAA Champions and three games against NCAA Quarterfinals teams. Additionally, Rutgers hosted the Big Ten Men’s Lacrosse Tournament at SHI Stadium, the program’s second time hosting the conference tournament since joining the league.
Joe Juengerkes was RU’s top player from his short-stick defensive midfield position, as he was a Second Team All-American and First Team All-Big Ten. He had 44 ground balls, 13 caused turnovers and seven points (five goals and two assists). His 13 caused turnovers were tied for sixth among short-stick defensive midfielders nationally. With Juengerkes on the defensive end, RU had a top-20 scoring defense nationally while holding seven opponents to single digits.
Colin Kurdyla led the team offensively, scoring 30 goals and 27 assists for 57 points. He had eight multi-goal games and led the Big Ten in points (3.8) and assists (1.8) per game. His four goals and seven assists against St. John's marked RU's first 11-point game since 1993, and had the sixth most assists in program history and most assists in a game by a RU player since 1997. He followed that with four goals and five assists versus Bellarmine, becoming the first RU player in program history to have nine or more points in a game twice in the same season.
Goalkeeper Cardin Stoller made 157 saves in between the pipes for RU. The Boys Latin product had a 52.0% save percentage and 10.37 goals-against-average. He led the Big Ten with 10.47 saves per game, while holding the opposition to single-digits in seven games. His 512 career saves are eighth all-time in Rutgers history.
Long-stick midfielder Ryan Splaine was the team’s top long-stick midfielder, posting 41 ground balls and 14 caused turnovers. A two-time Honorable Mention selection over his career, the senior had 150 ground balls and 51 caused turnovers across 54 games as a Scarlet Knight.
All-Americans
- Joe Juengerkes (Second Team – USA Lacrosse, Third Team – USILA and Media)
- Colin Kurdyla (Honorable Mention – Media)
- Ryan Splaine (Honorable Mention – Media)
All-Big Ten
- Joe Juengerkes: First Team
- Cardin Stoller: Second Team
- Colin Kurdyla: Second Team
- Dylan Finder: All-Freshman Team
USILA Senior All-Star Game
- Ben McKelvy, Colin Kelly
All-ECAC
- Joe Juengerkes
Tewaaraton Award Watch List
- Cardin Stoller, Colin Kurdyla
USILA Scholar All-American
- Cardin Stoller, Ryan Splaine, Ben McKelvy, Colin Kelly
Academic All-Big Ten
Nathan Austin-Johnstone, Blake Borges, David Carroll, Andrew Crosby, Brock Desmarais, Charles Eischens, Hunter Falzon, Dylan Groff, Joe Juengerkes, Brady Kurdyla, Colin Kurdyla, Justin Lawler, Matthew Mannarino, Charles Mccullough, Ben Mckelvy, Shane Murphy, Bennett Raphalian, John Scarelli, Jordan Smikle, Ryan Splaine, Cardin Stoller, Greyson Vorgang, Colin Wade, Zach Walsh, Marco Wimmershoff, Kyle Worsnup, Colin Zeller
Liam Gleason Humanitarian Award
- Justin Lawler
Weekly Awards
USILA Team of the Week
Ryan Splaine, Cardin Stoller, Colin Kurdyla, John Scarelli
National Player of the Week
Colin Kurdyla
Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week
Colin Kurdyla
Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week
Dylan Groff, Joe Juengerkes
Big Ten Specialist of the Week
Cardin Stoller
Big Ten Freshman of the Week
Dylan Finder
- Led Big Ten in Saves Per Game (11.13) and Opponent Clear Percentage (85.7%)
- 10th in NCAA and second in Big Ten in clearing percentage (90.9%)
- 17th in NCAA and third in Big Ten in Caused Turnovers (8.67)
- Colin Kurdyla led Big Ten in assists (1.8) and points (3.8) per game
- Cardin Stoller led Big Ten in saves (10.47) per game
- Rutgers ranked 15th nationally in total attendance, averaging 1,278 fans per game
Joe Juengerkes became the newest Scarlet Knight in the Premier Lacrosse League, as he was picked up by the Whipsnakes after the season. 12 former Scarlet Knights were on PLL rosters ahead of this season, with Ethan Rall, Ross Scott and Shane Knobloch tabbed for the PLL All-Star Game.
Rutgers boasts a total of 47 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 35 alumni coached at RU by current head coach Brian Brecht to go on to the professional level.
Gallery: Best Photos from Men's Lacrosse 2026
