Manhattan @ Rutgers
WHERE: @ Rutgers
WHEN: Saturday February, 8 @ 1:00
In what will yet another of many opening day rematches, Manhattan heads to Rutgers as both teams open the season. Last year, Rutgers handled Manhattan by a score of 15-6. After that, however, both teams never really had great season as Rutgers ended the season going 1-13 the rest of the season while the Jaspers went 4-10 the rest of the way.
Rutgers Offense vs. Manhattan Defense
Edge: Rutgers
Rutgers is loaded on offense as they bring back 98 percent of its scoring from last season. The Scarlet Knights are especially strong at attack as their top three scorers on the team were all on that unit. Led by senior Scott Klimchak (39 points), classmate Nick Depaolera (31 points) and sophomore Scott Bieda (25 points), this unit can cause some serious issues for any defense.
The midfield also saw balanced scoring as junior Brian Goss (20 points) and sophomore Anthony Terranova (19 points) can provide some offense from up top.
Defensively, Manhattan will struggle with Rutgers down low. Manhattan loses seniors Evan Potter and Jeff Mohr to graduation, meaning that they will have an even tougher time holding Klimchak, Depaolera and Bieda in check. The Jaspers do bring back Rich Akapnitis and Michael Wiatrak in goal. Wiatrak had a strong game last season against the Scarlet Knights. However, he was replaced by Akapnitis later in the season so it will be interesting to see who starts on Saturday.
Rutgers Defense vs. Manhattan Offense
Edge: Rutgers
Defensively, Rutgers returns plenty of talent and experience. In cage, returns sophomore goalie Kris Alleyne who was the 2013 BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year. He finished fourth in the nation in saves per game (14.00) and sixth in save percentage (.596) last season. In front of him will be Andrew Parrilla and Nicholas Contino. Contino is especially talented as he caused 24 turnovers last season, leading the team in that category.
Jacksonville will have a tough time cracking this defense. While four of their top five scorers come back, they do lose their top midfielder in Tyler Jarvis (29 points) and their third attackman in Brian McGrath (17 points). Jarvis had two goals for the Jaspers last season while four others had one goal.
Faceoffs
Edge: Rutgers
It was a clear advantage last season when Rutgers and Manhattan played each other and it will be the same story this season as Joseph Nardella returns for the Scarlet Knights. As a sophomore last season, Nardella was tied for fourth in the nation in faceoff percentage at 62.2 percent. He also torched the Jaspers last season at the X going 21-24.
His opponent, Mike Ruquet fared terribly and went 1-19 before being replaced as a freshman. Therefore, it should be much of the same for Rutgers and they should get a healthy dose of possessions on Saturday.
Prediction
Rutgers has the clear advantage in all three phases of the game and should win Saturday’s game handedly. Expect a similar result to last year with Rutgers wearing down the Manhattan defense early and often with such a large advantage at the faceoff X with Nardella.
Rutgers 14, Manhattan 4
