Following up on the initial 2015 MLL prospect watch, here are 10 more prospects who could see their name called during next January’s Major League Lacrosse Draft.
Lyle Thompson, Albany, Attackman
The reigning Tewaaraton Award winner with his brother Miles, Lyle Thompson owns the NCAA Division I record with 128 points during a historic 2014 season. Lyle has put up eye-popping numbers and should undoubtedly enjoy success at the next level. He finished the year with 51 goals and 77 assists, his second straight 100-point season after posting 113 as a sophomore. With 76 points as a senior, Thompson would eclipse Rob Pannell’s career points record of 354. There’s nothing left to be said about Thompson that hasn’t been said before.
Matt Poillon, Lehigh, Goalie
A three-time All-American, Matt Poillon is one of the winningest goalies in NCAA history. He is 37-11 in his career, recording double-figure victories each season. Lehigh’s emergence as a program coincided with Poillon between the pipes. He’s led a defense that finished second nationally in 2012, sixth in 2013 and second again this past season. Poillon’s 7.25 career goals against average currently stands seventh in NCAA history ahead of current MLL standouts John Galloway, Jesse Schwartzman and Jordan Burke, among others. Poillon has played his best against quality competition, tying a (then) career high with 16 saves (allowing just 10 goals) against a stacked Maryland team in the 2012 NCAA Tournament that featured current MLL players like Mike Chanenchuk, Owen Blye, Drew Snider, Joe Cummings and more. Poillon went on to make a career-high 18 saves in the 2013 NCAA Tournament against a North Carolina team with players like Macus Holman, Jimmy Bitter and Davey Emala. Poillon has proven to be one of the best goalies in the nation, year after year and there’s no reason to think it can’t translate to the next level.
Ryan McGee, Saint Joseph’s, Attackman
Ryan McGee has helped anchor the rise of Saint Joseph’s lacrosse, earning NEC Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2013. With one year still remaining, McGee is already among the program leaders in several categories. He stands eighth all-time in career points with 119 after totaling 56 as a junior behind 34 goals and 22 assists. He redshirted in 2013, but led the Hawks in points (52) and goals (38) as a sophomore. More important than individual success has been the rise of the Saint Joseph’s program. In McGee’s freshman year, the Hawks did not win a game, but they finished 11-4 last season, won the NEC Regular Season Title and hosted the conference tournament. McGee has been one of the biggest reasons for the emergence.
Jimmy Bitter, North Carolina, Attackman
From day one, Jimmy Bitter enjoyed success for the Tar Heels. Bitter was an All-American as both a freshman and sophomore. He recorded 41 points as a freshman, 52 as a sophomore and posted 37 this past season. Bitter has consistently produced against the game’s best in the ACC. He entered 2014 on a 27-game point streak and coupled with playing in the best conference, Major League Lacrosse teams will know what they’re getting in Bitter. Despite being small at 5’9″ tall, teams can look at someone like Will Manny of Boston who has proven you can succeed in the professional ranks at that size. Manny is also 5′-9″.
Chad Tutton, North Carolina, Midfielder
Bitter’s complement in the midfield, Chad Tutton has also contributed from day one. He was the team’s leading midfield scorer as a freshman and has been a second team All-American as both a sophomore and junior. This past season, Tutton recorded 28 points behind 23 goals and five assists, also adding 17 groundballs and two caused turnovers. A Canadian out of the Hill Academy, MLL midfielders need to learn how to play at both ends of the field (due to smaller roster sizes) and the pieces are in place for Tutton to do so successfully. He has recorded 49 groundballs in his career.
Richie Hurley, Siena, Attackman
Richie Hurley has been an integral part of Siena’s success over his career. Hurley broke out as a redshirt sophomore, finishing second in the MAAC in scoring and fifth in goals (30). This past year, Hurley was among the nation’s leading scorers with 82 points which included 48 assists (third in the nation). The 6’1″ attackman led the Saints to the 2014 MAAC Championship, recording three goals and three assists in a semifinal win over Canisius then two goals and one assist in a win over Marist. You often see players from smaller schools enjoy success in Major League Lacrosse, so the precedent is definitely there for Hurley to impress at the next level.
Mike MacDonald, Princeton, Attackman
Lost in the shadow of Tom Schreiber, Mike MacDonald has enjoyed a strong career at Princeton. The Georgetown, Ontario native led the team in assists in 2014 with 22 while adding 19 goals for 41 points. MacDonald started every game at attack as a freshman, scoring 22 goals which was fifth in school history among first-year players. MacDonald was a first team All-Ivy League selection and honorable mention All-American as a sophomore, leading the team with 43 goals while falling just one point shy of Schreiber’s team-leading 60 points. MacDonald shot a sparkling 45.7 percent that season as his accurate shooting will catch the eye of MLL executives.
Kevin Massa, Bryant, Faceoff Specialist
The nation’s leader in faceoff win percentage the past two seasons, Massa has never been below 64 percent in a season, which he accomplished as a freshman. Massa won 72.6 percent of his draws as a sophomore then 68.9 percent this past season. He is most known for his efforts at Syracuse in the 2013 and 2014 NCAA Tournaments. He won 22-of-23 faceoffs in the 2013 tournament to give Bryant a chance against the Orange then won 14-of-23 in 2014 to help lead the Bulldogs to a historic tournament victory this past Maryland. Massa has consistently enjoyed success that is unparalleled by others, and has come up big against the strongest competition.
Dylan O’Shaughnessy, Lehigh, Long-Stick Defensive Midfielder
MLL teams will salivate over Dylan O’Shaughnessy’s potential at the next level. Not only was he among the nation’s leaders with 24 caused turnovers this past season (while adding 34 groundballs), but he’s also emerged as an offensive threat. Owning a shot that exceeds 100 miles per hour, O’Shaughnessy became a weapon at both ends of the field for head coach Kevin Cassese’s Mountain Hawks. He finished the 2014 season with eight goals and two assists. Two were man-up goals. By the end of the season, O’Shaughnessy was being used on extra man much like Villanova’s use of John LoCascio. O’Shaughnessy has plenty of size for the next level as he stands 6’5″ tall and weighs more than 230 lbs. He looks like a tight end on the football field.
Charlie Raffa, Maryland, Faceoff Specialist
Right behind Kevin Massa in faceoff percentage in 2014 was Charlie Raffa, who outdueled Massa in the NCAA Quarterfinals by winning 14-of-20. Raffa finished his junior campaign just percentage points behind Massa, winning 68.6 percent of his draws. For his career, Raffa has won 60.9 percent from the X with 229 groundballs, 114 coming this past season. He’s also shown a knack for scoring off the draw, owning 11 career goals including five each of the last two seasons. That should play well with the first pace of the Major League Lacrosse game. Raffa also showed incredible toughness in the 2014 NCAA Tournament, consistently playing—and still excelling—despite battling a knee injury.
