Rutgers’ Joe Nardella Named Third Team All-American

Rutgers men’s lacrosse senior midfielder Joe Nardella was named a Third Team All-American by the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association, the university announced today in a press release.

Nardella, the Scarlet Knights’ 205^th All-American, ranked third in the nation in faceoff winning percentage, winning 222 out of 333 faceoffs (67.0%). He also ranked fourth in the nation in ground balls per game, with an average of 8.33.

“Joe has had a great career here ‘On the Banks'”, Rutgers head coach Brian Brecht said via the press release. “It is only fitting that he ends his senior year being named All-American. He has been one of the best face-off guys in the nation over the past four years and truly earned First Team All-Big Ten and Big Ten Specialist of the Year honors this season.”

Rutgers senior midfielder Joe Nardella (ScarletKnights.com).

The USILA also named the Cazeonvia, NY native a Scholar All-American. This honor, along with being drafted in the fifth round of the 2015 Major League Lacrosse Draft by the Boston Cannons, earned Nardella praise from his head coach.

“I am excited for him to be named an All-American on the field to go along with his Scholar All-American honors earlier this week”, Brecht continued. “Joe has been a true student-athlete throughout his career and he has a bright future ahead of him this summer in Major League Lacrosse.”

Nardella is Rutgers’ first All-American since midfielder Will Mangan earned honorable mention honors in 2012. He is the 29^th Scarlet Knight to be named Third Team All-American.