The season opener for the MLL is just over a month away with Denver travelling to Charlotte and Rochester hosting Chesapeake on April 27th. In the mean time, the 2013 MLL draft picks are busy representing their schools in NCAA league play. Several MLL draft picks led their teams to victories this week.
Senior – Peter Baum – Ohio Machine – Colgate Raiders
The 2012 Tewaarton Award winner and first overall MLL draft pick in 2013 by Ohio Machine led the Colgate Raiders (7-2) to their fourth straight victory over Navy (3-6) by a score of 11-3. The Portland, Oregon native and attack man scored three times for the Raiders and recorded five shots on net.
Baum has recorded 26 goals and 11 assists in nine games this season. Last season Baum tallied 97 points for the Raiders and led them to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Next action for Baum and the Raiders is March 31st/13 when they host Army (5-3) in a Patriot League matchup.
Junior – Jason Noble – Hamilton Nationals – Cornell Big Red
The Hamilton Nationals selected defender Jason Noble in the 2nd round – 10th overall in 2013 and he has a had a very good season to date for the Cornell Big Red (7-1). The Orangeville, ON product led his team to a 1-1 record this past week.
On March 19th, Cornell lost a hard fought game to Bucknell (8-1) by a 9-8 score. Starting long pole Noble had three groundballs, caused four turnovers and was 2-6 on face-offs. On Saturday, Cornell posted a 10-5 victory over Penn (5-2) in Ivy League action. The second team all- American in 2012 was an anchor on defense for the Big Red holding Penn to the second lowest goals against this season and picked up three ground balls and caused three turnovers.
Cornell hosts Siena (2-6) on Tuesday in Ithaca, NY, game time 4 P.M.
Senior – Mike Sawyer – Charlotte Hounds – Loyola Greyhounds
Charlotte Hounds draft pick Mike Sawyer (8th overall) saw his Loyola Greyhounds (7-2) pick up two wins this past week. The senior attack man from Waxhaw, NC did not dress on March 20th due to an undisclosed injury when his team won 13-8 over Georgetown (3-5). However, he was back in the line up Saturday and recorded three goals and 15 shots in a 10-3 win against Michigan (0-9).
The 2012 Tewaarton award finalist has 18 points (16G, 2A) in seven games this season and 129 points in his college career.
Loyola and Sawyer travel to Ohio State (6-2) on March 30th to take on the Buckeyes in an Eastern College Athletic Conference matchup.
Senior – Kevin Cooper – Chesapeake Bayhawks – Maryland Terps
Senior midfielder Kevin Cooper attending University of Maryland (6-1) was drafted 16th overall in the second round by the Chesapeake Bayhawks. The Crofton, MD native tallied two goals and one assist in a 10-8 loss to North Carolina (5-3) on Saturday. He also recorded eight shots and three groundballs in the loss.
In seven games this season, Cooper has registered 14 goals and 12 assists (26 points). In the last four years, the starting midfielder has played in 49 games picking up 65 points (31G, 34A).
Next action for Maryland is March 30th when they hit the road versus Virginia at Klockner Stadium.