2018 Rutgers Lacrosse Preview
After being shut out of the NCAA lacrosse tournament each of the last two years, this could be the year the Rutgers Men’s Lacrosse team has a chance to make it back to the postseason since back to back appearances in 2003 and 2004. The team brings in a lot of talent and here is a closer look at the 2018 Scarlet Knights.
Offense
Key Losses - Connor Murphy (A), Jeff George (M) Both of these players ended their careers on the banks with outstanding senior seasons. Murphy was thrust into the role of starter when Big Ten Freshman of the Year Adam Charalambides was lost for the season with a torn ACL. Murphy’s experience and grit were just what the Scarlet Knights needed at attack. George seemed to play his biggest in big games and became the steadying force at the midfield.
These important losses were expected to be offset by the return of Christian Trasolini and Charalambides, who were both returning from injury. Unfortunately, Charalambides has been lost again for the 2018 season with another ACL tear. A talent like Charalambides is difficult to replace. It appears, at least early on in the season, that the first opportunity will go to redshirt junior Connor Vercruysse, who gained valuable experience last year while playing with the extra man.
Sophomore Mark Schachte is another good-looking prospect who could see significant playing time at attack, along with a pair of promising freshmen in Tommy Coyne and Ryan Gallagher. There is the potential for one or both of these athletic freshmen at midfield as the coaching staff tries to find a way to get them on the field. The rest of the attack is set and on very solid footing, with returning preseason All-Big Ten attackman Jules Heningburg, who will be counted on to lead the way offensively. There will also be high expectations for sophomore Kieran Mullins, who is coming off a sensational freshman campaign, capped by an eight-goal explosion against Michigan and a game winning goal in OT against eventual national runner-up Ohio State.
The Midfield will certainly miss the playmaking ability of George, but there expects to be a blend of youth and experience on the offensive side of the ball. The return of Trasolini along with senior captain Christian Mazzone and redshirt junior Casey Rose will form one of the most dynamic midfield units in the country. Mazzone has done yeoman's work on the offensive side of the ball since he switched from short stick defensive middie in the middle of last season. He is an incredibly hard worker who consistently finds himself in the right place at the right time. Mazzone also happens to also be one of Rutgers top defenders.
Rose, who is a gifted athlete with a knack for making big plays in clutch situations should be the perfect complement to the dodging and shooting ability of Trasolini. The second middie group appears to be somewhat of a work in progress with several excellent athletes to work with, including senior Liam King, juniors Brian Eletti, Ben Dodson and Ryan Cunningham Sophomore Owen Meade and freshman Mike Sanguinetti are all in the mix for playing time.
Faceoff - With the return of Alex Schoen and Jojo Francisco, the Faceoff X should be a strength for the Scarlet Knights. Senior Schoen returns from injury to bolster the Scarlet Knights at the faceoff X, where The Knights will be counting on senior Francisco to continue the success he had last year.
Defense
Key Losses - Chris Groel, Charlie Nicklaus. Groel was a big, athletic defenseman who excelled in transition, while Nicklaus was a key factor in the Rutgers vaunted rope group. The loss of these two will be offset by the excellent depth that head coach Brian Brecht and his staff have been able to recruit and develop.
Rope Unit - If the Rutgers offense is an engine, this group is what makes it go. Stacked with experienced seniors, this athletic group is led by LSM Kyle Pless, SSDMs Christian Scarpello and Austin Divitcos. All three have extensive game experience, while also adding hyper-athletic senior Chad Tolliver and junior Mark Christiano. It is easy to see why this group is at the top of every opponent’s scouting report. This group also welcomes back redshirt freshman Garrett Bullett after missing most of last season with an injury.
Defense - This group is led by preseason All American Michael Rexrode, who is coming off a stellar season and looks to help bring the Knights to new heights. Alongside Rexrode has been his running mate for the last few seasons, senior Alex Bronzo, who has been a steadying force on the back line and a vital part of the team’s resurgence. Joining them will be junior Garrett Michaeli, who earned valuable game experience filling in for Bullett at LSM. Others who could see action are sophomores Jack Thompson and Jake Nordhausen, as both looked poised to make a contribution this season.
Goalies
Key Losses - None
Senior Max Edelman will be back in the cage this season after a standout 2017 campaign, which saw him make 143 saves and hold an 8.91 GAA. Edelman is known for his ability to consistently stop the ball, but what sets him apart is the ability to get the ball out of his stick quickly and accurately to trigger the Rutgers transition game, which is where the team excels.
Overview
Rutgers is poised to make a run into the NCAA tournament. How far of a run will be determined by how quickly their offense gels and how they adapt to being the hunted and not the hunter. In 2016, a seemingly light schedule was blamed for that team missing out on the tournament. However, that squad scored two wins over Johns Hopkins and making the Big Ten Tournament finals. Last year, it was a bad loss to in the middle of the season that doomed all hope for post-season play. While ranked No.1, Rutgers lost to an average Delaware team and missed out on the Big Ten tournament altogether.
This year, the schedule will not be an issue as Rutgers has once again added perennial power Syracuse and a dangerous Lehigh squad, to go along with a tough Big Ten schedule. Rutgers will also play away games at Army, Princeton and Brown. Rutgers has all the tools to not only survive this schedule, but to be a top seed in the NCAA tournament and make its first visit to the Final Four.
With an offense that may need a little time to gel, expect to see the Scarlet Knights defense carry the team through the early season. With dynamic players like Heningburg, Mullins, Trasolini and the rest of this very deep and athletic group, the Scarlet Knights are going to be fun to watch, especially when May comes around.
Season Record Prediction: (11-3)
