Seniors want success in final contest

As the Rutgers men’s lacrosse team enters its final home game of the season, it will look to win for its senior class.

Senior Night will be the last time seven Scarlet Knights take the field for Rutgers.

All seven will be honored before the game at Yurcak Field for their hard work and dedication they have put in over the last four or five seasons.

The senior class is led by defenseman Edward Bartleson, who this season started 12 of 14 games. Bartleson has scooped up 19 groundballs this season and forced nine turnovers.

“It is definitely going to be bittersweet playing my last game,” Bartleson said. “It would be nice to cap off my five years here with a victory after a long season like this one has been.”

Fellow classmates and defensemen Christopher Zybrick and Steve Shemesh will also be in action. Zybrick has appeared in 11 games, including one start with six groundballs and four forced turnovers.

Shemesh appeared in all 14 games this season and forced four turnovers and scooped up 18 groundballs. He also won two faceoffs this year.

Senior attack Duncan Clancy appeared and started in three games this season. Clancy has four points on the season, one goal and three assists.

Senior midfielder Alexander Ball also appearing in three games this year. Ball has collected two groundballs in his three appearances.

Defenseman Daniel Ingraldi and goalie Rudy Butler round out the senior class that will be honored.

While some of their statistics may not jump off the stat sheet, they handed down experience and knowledge to the younger members of the team.

Despite the Knights’ record this season, the team has shown signs of improvement in games and on the practice field.

Credit the upperclassmen that have fostered the development of freshmen like goalie Kris Alleyne and attack Scott Bieda, both of which have had breakout seasons in their first year with the Knights.

“The younger guys have really stepped up, worked hard and grown up before our eyes,” Bartleson said. “They’re the future of this program and will be great for Rutgers for years to come.”

The message from the underclassmen all week has been simple — win for the seniors.

“We just need to put it all together in all aspects of the game and try to get a win for the seniors,” said junior midfielder Anthony Terranova. “These guys deserve to go out with a win.”