With the college lacrosse season officially over as Memorial Weekend crowned Duke University its champion, it is time now for the college seniors to take their game to the next level. Since the professional league started at the end of April, most of the college players drafted have not been able to play much with their teams. Some players have played as many as three games with their franchises while some have yet to touch the field.
Let’s take a look at how each team’s rookies are acclimating themselves to the professional game.
Charlotte Hounds
Mike Sawyer A Loyola– Mike Sawyer has been every bit the player the Hounds had hoped for. The former Loyola standout continues to rack up points even at the professional level. Sawyer has recorded seven points for the Hounds in three games that he has seen action. He has scored four goals on 22 shots and also handed out three assists. He has also recorded two or more points in every game for the Hounds including a three point performance (1 G, 2A) against Hamilton in his MLL debut. That performance was good enough to be named the MLL Rookie of the week in Week 4.
Mason Poli D Bryant– For those of you unfamiliar with this long pole midfielder, you should get to know him soon enough. The former Bryant defenseman has a shot clocked at 107 mph and as a result he recorded 4 goals and 17 assists for the Bulldogs this past season. In two games for the Hounds he already has a goal.
Matt White A Virginia– In two games the former Cavalier has a goal and two assists for the Hounds. In the most recent game against the Ohio Machine he registered his first goal by displaying his quickness as he beat his defender from behind the net.
Michael McCormack D Yale– The Yale defenseman has appeared in two games for the Hounds and has totaled three groundballs so far. Look for him to become a groundball machine for the Hounds as the former Bulldog scooped up 201 groundballs and registered 107 caused turnovers in four seasons at Yale.
John Haus A Maryland– Haus made his debut for the Hounds against the Machine and got off two shots in the team’s victory. Although no major statistics were recorded in his debut, look for Haus to contribute as he had 104 points in his four year career at Maryland.
The rest of the rookie class either has yet to be activated and is currently on the college in-active part of the roster, or is not listed on the roster anymore for the Hounds. Those players include:
No longer in the MLL: None
College Inactive List: Owen Byle A Maryland, Max Van Bourgondien M Cornell, Brian Casey M Georgetown, Kyle Feeney G Penn, Casey Carroll D Duke, Jake Tripucka M Duke, Daniel DiMaria A Lehigh.
Ohio Machine
Dominique Alexander M Ohio State– In the two games he has played so far for the Machine, he has picked up one groundball and recorded two shots. Look for Alexander to be a two-way midfielder for the Machine as he had nine goals and 20 assists for Ohio State this past season while maintaining his defensive duties.
Logan Schuss A Ohio State– Another former Buckeye has seen action in three games so far this season and has not disappointed so far. After going scoreless in his MLL debut, he has caught fire as he has scored six goals in the last two games combined. Most notably, he had four goals in the Machine’s two goal loss to the Rattlers. His six points is tied for third on the team with fellow rookie Marcus Holman.
Marcus Holman A North Carolina– As mentioned above Holman has six points on the season, good for third on the team in points. In three games this season, he has two goals and three assists. He has recorded a two point goal already this season, thus showing off the propensity to shoot from long range.
Chase Carraro M Denver– In his MLL debut Carraro was 1-5 on faceoffs and had one groundball. Look for him to share faceoff duties with Eric OBrien this season.
Kevin Mack M Ohio State– Mack has appeared in two games this season and has registered two groundballs in each game. Look for Mack to contribute on the defensive end as a short stick defensive middie this season.
The rest of the rookie class either has yet to be activated and is currently on the college in-active part of the roster, or is not listed on the roster anymore for the Machine. Those players include:
No longer in the MLL: Peter Baum A Colgate (LXM pro tour), Joe Lisicky D Lynchburg, Casey Fleming M UMASS
College Inactive List: None
Rochester Rattlers
David Lawson M Duke– Fresh off winning a national title for the Blue Devils, Lawson scored a goal and picked up two groundballs for the Rattlers in their win over the Cannons. As one of the top midfielders in college lacrosse this past season, look for Lawson to start to contribute more to the Rattlers as the season goes on.
John Ranagan M Johns Hopkins– The standout midfielder from Hopkins has not found the back of the cage on his four shot attempts so far this season. Don’t worry though, as he has a big time shot and is a bruising midfielder, which will definitely help the Rattlers.
Peter Johnson D Yale– Johnson has yet to appear in a game for the Rattlers but the All-American should help solidify the Rattler defense along with John Lade, Mike Manley and Joel White.
The rest of the rookie class either has yet to be activated and is currently on the college in-active part of the roster, or is not listed on the roster anymore for the Rattlers. Those players include:
No longer in the MLL: None
College Inactive List: Ryan Clarke M Salisbury, John Kemp G Notre Dame, Brett Schmidt A Mt. St. Marys, Matt Miller D Notre Dame, Noah Molner M Lehigh, Zach Palmer A Johns Hopkins, Marshall Johnson M Fairfield
Boston Cannons
Cameron Flint M Denver– In his MLL debut Flint recorded an assist and got off two shots in their loss to the Rattlers over the weekend. The former Pioneer standout should become a bigger part of the offense and contribute effectively just like he did for Denver this past year at the collegiate level.
Scott Ratliff D Loyola– Fresh off being named a second team All-American the former Greyhound, Ratiff has appeared in two games for the Cannons. In those two games he has recorded one assist and two groundballs.
Will Manny A UMASS– Manny has appeared in two games for the Cannons and has three goals on seven shots so far this season. In their most recent game Manny had two goals and two ground balls for the Cannons and will look to be a bigger part of the offense.
Brendan Buckley D Army– Buckley has seen playing time in three games so far this season and has five ground balls. Against Rochester he recorded one groundball in the loss.
The rest of the rookie class either has yet to be activated and is currently on the college in-active part of the roster, or is not listed on the roster anymore for the Cannons. Those players include:
No longer in the MLL: Lee Coppersmith M Johns Hopkins and Quinn Cully M Notre Dame
College Inactive List: Jake Smith D UMASS-college
Chesapeake Bayhawks
Jesse Bernhardt D Maryland- As the only player in the rookie class to see any action for the Bayhawks, Bernhardt registered five groundballs in their 21-8 win over the Lizards back on June 6. Look for Bernhardt to become a great long pole midfielder in the league just like he was for Maryland.
The rest of the rookie class either has yet to be activated and is currently on the college in-active part of the roster, or is not listed on the roster anymore for the Bayhawks. Those players include:
No longer in the MLL: None
College Inactive List: Kevin Cooper M Maryland, Dominic Sabastiani M Delaware, Adrian Sorichetti M Hofstra
Hamilton Nationals
Josh Hawkins M Loyola– Hawkins has appeared in three games for the Nationals and scored one goal apiece in his last two games. In their loss to the Outlaws he displayed a nice shot on the run which should translate well to the professional level.
Reid Acton D Loyola– The former Greyhound defenseman has appeared in two games for the Nationals and has scooped up one ground ball. Look for him to only get better, however, as he is a strong defenseman who was most recently named an Honorable Mention All-American during this past season.
Garrett Thul A Army– Thul had a great MLL debut for the Nationals, even if it came in a losing effort. Thul registered three goals for the Nationals and also had three groundballs. His cannon of a shot should be an asset for the Nationals and he could become one of the better shooters to play in the professional league.
Mike Poppleton FO Johns Hopkins– In his only appearance in a 12-11 win over the Bayhawks on June 1, he went 11-27 at the faceoff ‘X’ and recorded four ground balls. He will only get better at the ‘X’ as he is fresh off a season in which he won close to 62 percent of his face-offs.
Tucker Durkin D Johns Hopkins– Durkin has appeared in three games for the Nationals and has registered a total of four groundballs. He recorded a season high three groundballs in the Nationals win over Charlotte back on May 17.
The rest of the rookie class either has yet to be activated and is currently on the college inactive part of the roster, or is not listed on the roster anymore for the Nationals. Those players include:
No longer in the MLL: Cameron Mann M Jacksonville and Nick Doherty M Villanova
College Inactive List: None
New York Lizards
Rob Pannell A Cornell– Pannell has continued to be a dominant force in lacrosse no matter if it is on the professional or collegiate level. The former Cornell star has appeared in two games and has scored three goals and handed out three assists on 15 shots. In the Lizards last game against the Bayhawks, he displayed his quickness and great vision by handing out two assists. In the previous game against Charlotte he recorded three goals and an assist.
JoJo Marasco Syracuse– In his only game for the Lizards, the Syracuse alum registered three shots, two of which were on cage. He also picked up a ground ball in the loss to the Bayhawks. Look for his statistics to improve as he gains more playing time and gets used to the speed of play at the professional level.
Jeff Tundo M Stony Brook – The Stony Brook midfielder made his MLL debut against the Bayhawks but did not record any statistics. The former Seawolf is fifth on the all-time list for points in a season so look for him to contribute to the Lizards attack.
The rest of the rookie class either has yet to be activated and is currently on the college in-active part of the roster, or is not listed on the roster anymore for the Lizards. Those players include:
No longer in the MLL: None
College Inactive List: John Antoniades F/O Hofstra, Mark Mullen D Hofstra, Steve Murphy M Notre Dame
Denver Outlaws
Brian Megill D Syracuse– The athletic defenseman showcased his speed and agility by helping Denver dominate the action in their 22-9 thrashing of the Hamilton Nationals this past weekend. The former Orange standout scooped up four groundballs and took two shots in the win.
Eric Law A Denver– Law had one of the more impressive MLL debuts this season as he registered four goals for the Outlaws in their lopsided victory. He displayed a great ability to finish including a behind-the-back goal to highlight his effort for the night.
Roger Ferguson D Brown– All Ferguson has done since coming into the MLL is become a groundball machine for the Outlaws. In two games for the Outlaws he has recorded 11 groundballs, five of which came in the Outlaws victory over the Cannons on May 31.
Landon Carr M Maryland– Carr has yet to appear in a game for the Outlaws but he is on the active roster. Look for him to contribute on the defensive end as a short stick defensive middie.
The rest of the rookie class either has yet to be activated and is currently on the college in-active part of the roster, or is not listed on the roster anymore for the Cannons. Those players include:
No longer in the MLL: Aaron Prosser M Drexel, Dante Fantoni A Lehigh, Sam Snow M Fairfield, Davis Butts M Loyola
College Inactive List: None
