#18 Rutgers, VMI on Tap for Holiday Weekend

Saturday, February 18

Piscataway, NJ

2:30 PM

Army West Point

Rutgers

#18 Rutgers, VMI on Tap for Holiday Weekend

February 17, 2017 | Men's Lacrosse

WEST POINT, N.Y. - The Army West Point men's lacrosse team travels to 18th-ranked Rutgers on Saturday and then hosts VMI in a Monday afternoon tilt in the home opener.

The Rutgers game can be seen live on Big Ten Network Extra, while the VMI contest will be live on the Patriot League Network free of charge.

HOW TO FOLLOW - #18 RUTGERS
TELEVISION • None
RADIO • None
VIDEO • BTN Plus ($$$)
LIVE STATISTICS • ScarletKnights.com
GAME NOTES • Army Notes • Rutgers Notes
TWITTER • ArmyWP_MLax
INSTAGRAM • ArmyWP_MLax

THE OPENING FACEOFF
• For the 63rd straight season the Black Knights take on the Scarlet Knights, while Army welcomes VMI on Monday for the eighth consecutive year.
• The Black Knights are coming off an impressive 9-2 win over UMass last Saturday in the season opener.
• Army saw Cole Johnson, David Symmes and Matthew Donovan record multi-point games in the win, while AJ Barretto stopped seven shots and allowed only two goals for his 10th career win.
• The Scarlet Knights enter Saturday's game as the 18th-ranked team in the nation after a 16-8 win over St. John's last week, while VMI is opening its season on Monday.

HOW TO FOLLOW - VMI
TELEVISION • None
RADIO • 1260 WBNR/1420 WLNA
VIDEO • Patriot League Network (Free)
LIVE STATISTICS • Sidearm Stats
GAME NOTES • Army Notes
TWITTER • ArmyWP_MLax
INSTAGRAM • ArmyWP_MLax

WEEKLY HONORS
• Senior Reaves Klipstein and sophomore AJ Barretto were rewarded for their performances in the win over UMass as they garnered weekly accolades from the Patriot League.
• Klipstein was voted the league's defensive player of the week after picking up five ground balls and causing three turnovers in the victory.
• Barretto was named goalie of the week with seven saves and only two goals allowed at UMass. He currently leads the league in goals against average and save percentage heading into this weekend.

SCOUTING THE SCARLET KNIGHTS
• Rutgers come into Saturday's game following a 16-8 win over St. John's thanks to a seven-goal second quarter.
• The Scarlet Knights saw junior Jules Heningburg score four goals to lead the way, while senior Connor Murphy and rookie Kieran Mullins tally four points on two goals and two assists.
• Rutgers starts 2017 after its most successful season in recent memory with 11 wins in 2016 under head coach Brian Brecht, who was named the Big Ten Coach of the Year.
• The Scarlet Knights have to replace Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year Scott Bieda, along with starters on defense and goalie Kris Alleyne.
• Big Ten Freshman of the Year Adam Charalambides is also sidelined for the season with an injury. He had a four-goal day in last year's 13-11 win for the Scarlet Knights at Michie Stadium.
• Rutgers struggled at the faceoff X at St. John's winning only 9-of-26 draws with seven of the wins coming from Joe Francisco.

THE SERIES
• The Army-Rutgers series is one of the longest running duels in the nation as it dates back to 1923 when Army won 9-1 at West Point.
• This is the 63rd straight season the Scarlet Knights and Cadets have matched up on the playing surface.
• Army owns a 56-22-1 lead in the series, but Rutgers has won two of the last three meetings.
• The last time the Scarlet Knights won two in a row against the Black Knights was back in 1997 and 1998.
• Alberici comes into Saturday's game with a 7-3 record in 10 games opposite Rutgers, while Brian Brecht is 2-3 against the Black Knights.

SCOUTING THE KEYDETS
• VMI enters its second season under head coach Jon Birsner after a 2-14 year in 2016.
• The Keydets welcome back junior Wesley Sanders, who landed on the Southern Conference All-League Team and All-Freshman Team member Kyle Walsh.
• Sanders was the leading scorer in 2016 and tallied 28 goals and 35 points for the Keydets.
• Faceoff specialist Tristan Capes-Davis is back for the Keydets, while freshmen Isaac Avon and AJ Krstulovic are vying for playing time.
• In goal, Joe Riccadonna is back for another season after posting a 14.43 goals against average last year and a.440 save percentage.

THE SERIES
• The series between Army and VMI started back in 2009 and the matchup has been played every year since.
• The Black Knights own an 8-0 advantage in the series and have posted double-digit goals in each of the contests.
• The game has been played at West Point the last two seasons, including an indoor game in 2015 at Foley Athletic Center, which was the first for Army in history of the program.