PISCATAWAY, New Jersey - The Marist men's lacrosse team was defeated by #9 Rutgers in a season opener on Saturday afternoon.  The Red Foxes were defeated 20-8 by the Scarlet Knights.
 

SUMMARY

• Rutgers took the lead early in the first quarter scoring four goals in the first five minutes.
• James Lyons was the first to respond, scoring with 2:26 left in the quarter.
• With 1:11 left in the first quarter, an assist from Lyons to Jojo Pirreca helped cut the Marist deficit to two, 4-2 heading into the second quarter.
• Rutgers took control of the second quarter scoring eight goals while holding Marist scoreless until half.
• The Scarlet Knights scored two to open the third quarter, however it did not take long for Lyons to respond giving the Red Foxes another point.
• With 8:15 left in the third, Sam Ferrel took it himself to score the fourth for Marist.
• Rutgers responded with a quick two goals within two minutes.
• A save by Noble Smith turned into a quick transition down field for Keenan DeRaeve to answer with a goal from deep with 5:50 left in the quarter.
• A few minutes later, Lyons had his third of the game with an assist from Tyler Ammirato bringing the score to 18-6.
• The Red Foxes held Rutgers scoreless for the first three minutes of the final quarter, but Rutgers had another with 11:14 remaining.
• Ammirato scooped up a loose ball and took it to goal, giving Marist another point with 8:50 left in the game.
• With three minutes to go, Jamison Embury got hold of the ball from Kellen Pulera to bring the score to 19-8.
• With 0:41 seconds left, Rutgers finished up the game with another goal to end the game at 20-8.

STATS

• Lyons led the team with four points on three goals and one assist.
• Tyler Ammirato had a goal and an assist.
• Keenan DeRaeve, Jamison Embury, Jojo Pirreca and Sam Ferrel each added a goal.
• Noble Smith stopped a total of eight shots, ending the game with a .800 save percentage.
• Rutgers had the advantage on face-offs, winning 23-of-32. Rutgers also had a 44-26 advantage in ground balls.
• Dante Kulas led Rutgers with eight points on five goals and three assists.

UP NEXT

• The Red Foxes continue their non-conference matchups as they host Binghamton for their home opener on Saturday, Feb. 11.
• The game is scheduled for noon.