In a thrilling afternoon at SHI Stadium, Rutgers men's lacrosse extended their winning streak to four games with an 11-8 victory over Hofstra. This win boosts the Scarlet Knights to a 5-1 record this season, marking the fourth time in five years they've started with such momentum. The crowd of 902 fans witnessed Rutgers continue their dominance over Hofstra, improving their all-time record to 19-15 against the Pride.
The Scarlet Knights showcased a balanced offensive attack, with Greyson Vorgang, Colin Kurdyla, and Haydn Sommer each netting two goals. Contributions came from all over the field, as Kasey Mongillo, Colin Zeller, Evan Large, Bennett Raphalian, and Ben McKelvy each added a goal. Goalkeeper Cardin Stoller was a force in the net, recording 12 saves.
Rutgers jumped to an early 3-1 lead, highlighted by a memorable first career goal from defenseman Ben McKelvy. However, Hofstra responded, leveling the score at 3-3 by the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter saw Rutgers regain control with two quick goals, taking a 5-3 lead. Yet, Hofstra wasn't backing down, tying the game at 6-6 midway through the quarter. A late exchange of goals left the teams deadlocked at 7-7 going into halftime, despite Hofstra outshooting Rutgers and dominating faceoffs.
The return of faceoff specialist John Scarelli in the second half was pivotal. His presence sparked Rutgers, leading to crucial goals from Mongillo and Raphalian, establishing a 9-7 lead. Sommer's second goal of the game further extended the advantage, as Scarelli's faceoff prowess kept the momentum with Rutgers.
Evan Large sealed the game with the only goal in the fourth quarter, ensuring Rutgers' victory. This win concludes a successful three-game homestand for the Scarlet Knights, who now embark on a road trip.
Next up is a highly anticipated clash against in-state rival Princeton, ranked No. 7/10, for the Meistrell Cup. Following that, Rutgers faces St.
John's in a midweek showdown. The Scarlet Knights are riding high and look poised to continue their impressive form.