Rutgers Men’s Lacrosse Season Preview

After a record setting 2016 season, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights men's lacrosse program enters the 2017 season with high expectation. The Scarlet Knights enter the season as the 16th ranked team in the nation based on the recently announced USILA pre-season coaches poll.

Despite the loss of Adam Charalambides for the season, the Scarlet Knights should still have enough fire power on offense and the return of goalie Max Edelmann should help spark the defense. Let's take a deeper dive into the Rutgers 2017 men's lacrosse team.

Players to watch

Jules Heningburg: Any notes about this years Rutgers team have to start with Heningburg. A pre-season All American and All Big Ten member, Heningburg is going to be the straw that stirs the drink this year for the Knights. It will be interesting to see if he has the same success with Scott Bieda graduating and Charalambides out for the season.

Max Edelmann: A transfer last season, Edelmann actually won the starting goalie job, but got injured in the Fairfield game and was out for the season. When healthy, Edelmann is a very good keeper and will be key for a Rutgers team that loves to play fast.

Christian Mazzone: A pre season All Big Ten selection, Mazzone will be counted on to lead the Scarlet Knights from the midfield. Almost all of the Knights scoring came from the attack last year, so the midfield will need to step up and share more of the scoring load.

Sam Oltmans: A freshman elligibility wise, it has been a long road to Rutgers for Oltmans. A two-time All American in high school and a one time Duke commit, Oltmans had off the field issues that had him away from the game for some time. If Oltmans can return to his All American form, he will be a major contributor from day one.

Key Games

Saturday February 11 - St. Johns

The season opener for the Scarlet Knights.

Saturday February 18 - Army

Rutgers faces a staunch test in their secone game of the season. Army is a consensus top-15 team and have a true superstar at attack in Cole Johnson.

March 4 - Brown

The marquee event on the schedule, Brown is coming off a banner season where they made the final four and return All American and Tewaaraton Trophy (Lacrosse's version of the Heisman Trophy) Dylan Malloy.

March 31 - Johns Hopkins

Not only is Johns Hopkins one of the blue bloods of lacrosse, this is the opener in Big Ten play.

After a successful 2016 season, look for the Scarlet Knights to fight through some preseason adversity and make 2017 the new best season in program history.