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Alphabetical 2014 NCAA D1 Preview: Rutgers

The NCAA D1 season is now underway! During the first couple of weeks of lacrosse season we’ll be finishing up the Alphabetical 2014 NCAA D1 Previews! Like last year, we are going through all of the D1 men’s teams for 2014 (there are 67 this year!) and we are now moving on to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, located in Piscataway, NJ.

Rutgers has already played a game, and they took down Manhattan 13-5. Scott Klimchak led the team with 5 goals and it looks like he’s back on pace to hit his 2013 numbers (32 goals, 7 assists). Scott Bieda also returns at attack and added a goal and two assists in the season opener. Nicholas DePaolera can distribute with the best of them and should be a good source of assists. I could also see big man Kyle Robinson earning some time this year. Of the 13 players who topped the Rutgers scoring list in 2013, all return for 2014.

Freshman midfielder Christian Trasonlini added three goals and two assists in his first game and should be a key cog for Rutgers all year long. Senior captain Anthony Terranova also scored a goal, and will be a do-it-all force for Rutgers this year. Look for Terranova to do the little things that will help Rutgers win games and lead by example. This is a good group for Rutgers that should improve over the course of the season. With Joseph Nardella dominating face offs (he was 18-20 vs Manhattan), Rutgers should get plenty of extra possessions.

Sophomore Kris Alleyne leads the way in goal, and he had a good year in 2013 as a freshman. If he shows a big jump and improvement, this could be a definite strength for the Scarlet Knights. He makes a lot of saves (4th in the nation in saves per game), and always has a good save percentage (6th in the nation). Those two stats combined speak volumes. Nick Contino and Andrew Parilla give Alleyne two experienced seniors down low, and they make the D that much stronger. Chris Daley has transferred in from Onondaga CC and Nick Capparelli comes in from Nassau CC, and both can play. Nick Masciantonio, Eric Cooley, and Josh Matanin add experience. Branford Rogers should be improved at LSM, where he was already seeing success. It’s a deep and athletic group.

With experience in goal, and down low, Rutgers looks solid. With dominant face offs, they look good. With so much returning offense and freshman already making waves, Rutgers looks downright dangerous. The Scarlet Knights are a team to watch in 2014. Keep an eye out for the Jersey Boys.

For more NCAA D1 Lacrosse coverage, check out Alphabetical 2013 NCAA D1 Preview: Air ForceAlbanyArmyBellarmineBinghamtonBostonBrownBryantBucknellCanisius,
Colgate,  CornellDartmouthDelawareDetroitDrexelDukeFairfieldFurman,
GeorgetownHartfordHarvardHigh PointHobartHofstraHoly CrossJacksonvilleJohns_HopkinsLafayetteLehighLoyolaManhattanMaristMarquette,
MarylandMassachusettsMercerMichiganMonmouthNavyNorth Carolina,
Notre DameOhio StatePenn, Penn State, Princeton, Providence, QuinnipiacRichmond, and Robert Morris.