The Big Ten Tournament men’s lacrosse kicks off Saturday with an NCAA tournament bid on the line

Rutgers is getting ready for the Big Ten Lacrosse Tournament

With the 2023 lacrosse regular season in the books, the Big Ten has shifted its focus to tournament play. On Saturday, the madness begins as Rutgers will face Maryland, and Michigan will face Ohio State. While there can only be one champion, this weekend should be full of memorable moments.

The 2023 Big Ten Tournament will feature six teams, with the top two seeds in Penn State and John Hopkins getting a bye. A lot is on the line as the winner will earn a spot in the NCAA championship. On May 7, the bracket will be revealed.

Entering the tournament, Rutgers is the sixth seed. The Scarlet Knights were a disappointing 1-4 in conference play during the regular season with their only win against a Big Ten team came on April 7 against Michigan. Unfortunately, they weren’t able to replicate that success against Maryland. They lost to the Terrapins 11-8 on April 16.

 

As Rutgers looks to surpass expectations, they will need Dante Kulas, Scott Ross, and Brain Cameron to be at their best. The trio led the way offensively during the regular season and combined for 105 points. They will be more motivated than ever to earn an NCAA tournament appearance for the third straight season.

While Rutgers will be looking to break brackets, they have five talented teams in their way, including the top-seed Penn State. During the 2023 campaign, the Nittany Lions went 4-1 in conference play and are looking to continue that dominance this weekend.

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With the Big Ten tournament only hours away, fans can start to prepare for a weekend where legends are made and dreams come true.

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A week in review of Rutgers spring athletics

Rutgers athletics is having a solid start to the spring season!

With spring in full swing, softball, baseball, and lacrosse have returned for the Scarlet Knights, which means a busy few months are ahead with the sun shining down. So far, it has been a mixed result as Rutgers softball, baseball, and men’s lacrosse all have winning records, while women’s lacrosse is 4-6. However, there are plenty of games left, and there have already been a few unforgettable performances.

Entering the second weekend in March, Rutgers softball ranks third in the Big Ten and only trails Indiana by two games for the top spot. This weekend they will have a chance to improve their conference record with two games against Ohio State.

However, they are not the only team with a Big Ten matchup this week. Rutgers baseball heads to College Park on Friday to take on Maryland.

Check out what is going on with spring sports around Rutgers!

Dante Kulas is having a career year for Rutgers lacrosse

Dante Kulas is making a strong impression for Rutgers men’s lacrosse.

With the 2023 lacrosse season in full swing, the Scarlet Knights have been one of the best teams in the Big Ten. Through eight games, they have gone 7-1 and won five straight games. During their impressive start, they have been led by Dante Kulas.

The Holy Trinity Catholic Secondary High School product has 30 points and added one game-winning goal to his resume. He is tied for the team in goals with 22 and is third in assists with eight. He has taken his play to another level this season and was recently recognized for his stellar play.

Kulas was named to the USILA National Team of the Week & Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week on March 13 after totaling five points on four goals and an assist in the Scarlet Knights’ 14-13 overtime win over Princeton. It was one of Kulas’s best performances in what is turning into an unforgettable season. As a result, he is no longer flying under the radar.

Additionally, Kulas has already surpassed his numbers from last season. In nine games during the 2022 campaign, he had 14 points while attempting 45 shots. During the 2023 season, he has been more aggressive offensively and attempted 45 shots, 31 of which have landed on net.

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While the regular season is far from over, Kulas is proving to be a headache for opponents. The Scarlet Knights offense runs through him, and fewer players in the Big Ten have had a bigger impact. Kulas is proving to be a perfect fit for a team with high expectations.

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Scott Ross is providing Rutgers men’s lacrosse with a boost offensively

Scott Ross is off to a strong start this season.

So far this season, Rutgers men’s lacrosse has gotten off to a dominant start. The Scarlet Knights have posted a 7-1 record through their first eight games and have not lost in over a month. During that stretch, they have been led by Scott Ross, who is having a stellar senior campaign.

In eight games, Ross has recorded 22 goals and seven assists. His 29 points are the second most on the team, trailing Dante Kulas by one. The talented attacker has proven to be a difficult matchup for opponents, as he has recorded six or more points in three games this season.

Additionally, the West Linn High School product is thriving in clutch situations with three game-winning goals. He has not been afraid of shooting the ball and leads the team with 67 shots and 43 shots on goal. While his start to the season has been impressive, it comes as no surprise after his success last year.

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As a junior, Ross had his breakout season with 75 points in 19 games. It was the first time in his collegiate career that the West Linn native had more than 20 points in a season. He has been even better through the first few weeks of the 2023 campaign.

On a Rutgers team with high expectations, Ross has been one of their best players. He will be relied on as a critical piece of offense this season, a role he has already shown he is more than capable of handling.

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