The Rochester Rattlers have struggled to retain players in the player movement period, but on Tuesday, they were able to add a new piece. Rochester acquired midfield Jojo Marasco from the New York Lizards for their fourth overall pick in the collegiate draft.
The Rattlers have seen many of their players declare for player movement with the future of the franchise up in the air. Returning at least for this coming year, Rochester has added a key piece in Marasco. The former Syracuse midfielder scored 17 points in 14 games this year for the Lizards, who fell in the first round of the MLL postseason.
Over his four year career, all with the Lizards, Marasco has posted a total of 87 points, with a career high of 31 coming in 2015 when the Lizards made their title run.
Marasco joins a depleted Rattlers midfield that brings back Jesse King, Kyle Denhoff, Dhane Smith and Kip Orban. Rochester might not retain several of their star scorers depending on the team’s future.
The Lizards will add a top pick in a year where several top prospects such as Connor Cannizarro and Dylan Molloy could be available, depending on team needs, with the fourth slot. The Lizards also might not mind clearing out another player who gets a ton of touches since they still host a cast that includes Paul Rabil, Rob Pannell, and Drew Westervelt.
Rochester, meanwhile, is looking to get into the postseason this season after making a run in 2015 where they lost to the eventual champion Lizards. In a season where there was a six-way tie with 8-6 records, teams need to separate from the pack, and the Rattlers are trying to do that despite losing maybe the bulk of their roster.
