Rutgers Men's Lacrosse Travels to Wagner
Feb 17 | Men's Lacrosse
GAME NOTES | LIVE STREAM | LIVE STATS
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (Feb. 17, 2014) - Following a season-opening win over Manhattan, the Rutgers men's lacrosse team hits the road to Staten Island, N.Y., to take on Wagner on Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 3 p.m. Last season, Rutgers picked up a 20-10 win over the Seahawks on Feb. 19.
RUTGERS
2014 Record: 1-0, 0-0 BIG EAST
Ranking: NR/NR (IL Media/USILA Coaches)
Head Coach: Brian Brecht (Springfield, '95)
Career Record: 74-69 (10th season)
Record at RU: 9-20 (Third season)
Statistical Leaders
Goals: Scott Klimchak - 5
Assists: Bieda, DePaolera, Trasolini - 2
Points: S. Klimchak, Trasolini - 5
GBs: Joseph Nardella - 17
Saves: Kris Alleyne - 12
WAGNER
2013 Record: 1-12, 0-5 NEC
Ranking: NR/NR (IL Media/USILA Coaches)
Head Coach: Matt Poskay (Virginia, '06)
Career Record: 2-25 (Third season)
Record at Wagner: Same
Returning Statistical Leaders (2013)
Goals: Griffen Leclaire - 21
Assists: Griffen Leclaire - 9
Points: Griffen Leclaire - 30
GBs: Matt Bunting - 37
Saves: Nicholas Gibaldi - 168
SCOUTING THE WAGNER SEAHAWKS
Wagner returns after a 1-12 (0-5 NEC) mark last season. The Seahawks were supposed to open the season on Feb. 15 vs. Lafayette, but due to inclement weather, now open by hosting Rutgers.
Wagner returns sophomore A Griffen Leclaire, who scored 21 goals, posted nine assists and tallied 30 points in 2013, being named to the All-NEC Rookie Team.
Defensively, junior Matt Bunting is the squad's leading returner in caused turnovers (17) and ground balls (37). Senior GK Nicholas Gibaldi comes back after starting 12 games last season.
The Seahawks are led by Matt Poskay, who is in his third season.
ALL-TIME SERIES
Rutgers is 5-0 all-time against Wagner in a series that dates back to 2009. Last season, the Scarlet Knights picked downed the Seahawks 20-10 at home on Feb. 19.
CONNECTIONS
Rutgers' freshman A Collin Scarpello (Madison, N.J.) and Wagner sophomore A Billy Battaglia each attended Madison HS. RU freshman Christian Mazzone (Stony Brook, N.Y.) and Wagner freshman Andrew Tirelli each attended Ward Melville HS. Lastly, RU sophomore D Bryan Phillips (Somers Point, N.J.) attended the same high school (St. Augustine Prep) as Wagner's freshman Ryan Zurawski, redshirt freshmen Patrick and William McMenamin, and junior Michael McMenamin.
RU OPENS SEASON WITH WIN OVER MANHATTAN
The Rutgers (1-0) men's lacrosse team opened the 2014 season with a 13-5 win over Manhattan (0-1) at the RU Turf Field on Feb. 8. As a team, RU scooped 41 ground balls, its most since recording 44 at St. John's (March 16, 2013). Nine RU players posted at least one point, while seven scored at least one goal, and the Scarlet Knights improved to 12-0 all-time against Manhattan.
KLIMCHAK IS BACK
Redshirt senior A Scott Klimchak (Clark, N.J.) scored a career-high tying five goals in the opener vs. Manhattan (Feb. 8). He is currently tied for 10th on RU's career goals list with 91. He has now scored at least one goal in 18 straight games, the fourth-longest goal-scoring streak in the country, dating back to April 21, 2012 vs. Michigan. He has posted 45 goals in that streak.
RU Career Goals List
8. Bob Kelley (1954-56) 100
9. Chris Heffernan (1981-84) 96
10. Paul Joinnides (1966-68) 91
Don Stevens (1951-53) 91
Scott Klimchak (2010-14) 91
CIN-NARDELLA MAN
In the season-opener vs. Manhattan (Feb. 8), junior FO Joe Nardella (Cazenovia, N.Y.) won an impressive 18-of-20 face-offs (.900 percent), including the last 18 of the game. He also collected a career-high 17 ground balls.
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersAthletics) and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding Rutgers men's lacrosse, follow the program and Brecht on Twitter (@RUMLax and @RUlaxCoach) and Facebook. Fans can receive timely information, including special offers and giveaways throughout the year on our social media outlets along with www.ScarletKnights.com.
