Jordan Wolf is a two time NCAA champion with the Duke Blue Devils, including the 2014 team capturing the title. He is also a MLL 2014 Rookie of the Week and already has five career points, in just one game with the Rochester Rattlers.
“It felt great to just play again. Its only been a few weeks since the National Championship but I definitely missed playing and competing,” he told us. “The coaches and my teammates were great to me which made everything a lot easier.”
Wolf almost scored just a minute into his first game, but a penalty on Ohio prevented it. He still went on to score four goals in his debut, the most of any rookie in a debut this season along with Justin Ward. His performance earned him rookie of the week after his first game.
“It is a honor to be named Rookie of the Week and I am extremely humbled but to be honest I am not really in this for honors.” Wolf said. “I am just excited to be a part of the Rattlers and hopefully I can help them get better and compete for a championship.”
Wolf is playing with another star NCAA player in Miles Thompson who was also drafted by the Rattlers. Thompson was a member of the Albany Great Danes who also advanced to the NCAA tournament, and he is a co-winner of the Tewaaraton.
“Miles is unbelievable and you appreciate even more how good and skilled he is when you play with him,” said Wolf. “I noticed right away in our shoot around how well he moves without the ball—he always seems to be open. His finishing skills are just amazing—I get caught watching him sometimes. I am so excited to be able to play with him every weekend.”
The Rattlers are currently 4-3 and tied for second place with the Florida Launch, behind the 6-1 Denver Outlaws. Wolf will bring Rochester some more offense along with Thompson and their trade acquisition Mark Matthews.
Unlike some other sports, the jump to pro lacrosse from college can be like two completely different sports. Wolf said that playing in the best conference in college, the ACC, helped him prepare for the pros.
“It is a bit of a transition. The speed of the game is really fast with the shot clock but playing in the ACC has definitely prepared me for this style. It was just different to be wearing a different jersey with different teammates but the guys on the team are awesome as well as the coaches so it made everything easy for me.”
Being a successful player in college, the Rattlers and Wolf hope that carries over to the professional game and can give the Rattlers a chance to win their first title since 2008.
“Winning two national championships with Duke is something that I will remember forever and something that is extremely special to me. I am so fortunate that I am able to continue my career and compete and hopefully win a MLL championship as well.”
