PISCATAWAY, N.J. – No. 6 Penn State ran into an outstanding goalie performance in an 11-9 loss to No. 17 Rutgers in Big Ten men's lacrosse action Saturday at SHI Stadium. It was the season-opening game for both nationally-ranked teams.
Colin Kirst made an impressive 15 saves against a usually prolific Penn State offensive attack. He helped Rutgers take home the Friendship Cup after Penn State took control of the rivalry trophy with a win in 2019. The teams have alternated wins in the rivalry game since 2015, but the Lions hold a 13-6 lead in games with the trophy up for grabs.
Saturday's game was close from start to finish with neither team leading by more than two goals at any point in the game. It was Penn State that got the early advantage, taking a 2-0 lead on goals by TJ Malone and Dylan Foulds. Malone scored the team's first goal of the 2021 season just 1:57 into the game and then assisted on the score by Foulds midway through the quarter.
The teams battled to a 4-4 tie after one quarter before the defensive prowess of both teams was on display in quarters two and three. The teams combined for three goals in the second quarter as Rutgers took a 6-5 lead into the break, and then combined for three goals in the third quarter to knot the score at 7-all with 15 minutes to play.
Reaume had a breakout offensive showing for Penn State. He had one goal in the first half and then scored both of the team's goals in the third quarter to record his first career hat trick. The Lions' defense nearly held Rutgers scoreless in the quarter thanks to a couple of highlight-reel saves by Colby Kneese, but the Scarlet Knights found the back of the net with two seconds left on the clock.
Rutgers never trailed following that buzzer-beating goal by Connor Kirst. The Scarlet Knights went up 8-7 on a score by Kieran Mullins 1:28. Following a goal by Penn State's Mac O'Keefe, Adam Charalambides put Rutgers up for good with his second goal of the game.
Malone led Penn State offensively with five points on three goals and two assists. Reaume tallied three goals and one assist, while Foulds chipped in with two goals and two assists. O'Keefe tallied one goal, extending his goal-scoring streak to 33-straight games. It was his 193rd career goal.
Nick Cardile paced Penn State in ground balls with five, while Jake Glatz and Sam Sweeney added four and three, respectively. Sutton Boland and Brett Funk each caused one turnover.
Connor Kirst, a transfer from Villanova, had a big game in his Rutgers debut, leading all players with seven points on three goals on four assists. Colin Kirst's 15 saves came on 24 chances.
Penn State's home opener is next on the schedule as the Lions host No. 5 Maryland on Friday at Panzer Field. The game is scheduled or 5:30 p.m. and will air on Big Ten Network. The Terrapins opened their season with a home win over Michigan on Saturday.