Photo Credit: New York Lizards
By: Tim Yilmaz, Beat Writer New York Lizards
The MLL held its 2016 Collegiate Draft in snow filled Baltimore, MD on Friday, January 22nd, 2016. Heading into the draft, the New York Lizards had six selections to make but their first would not come until the third round and 24th overall. James Pannell, an attackman from Virginia was acquired from the Hounds during a Supplemental Draft trade that sent Goalie Charlie Cipriano to Charlotte.
New York would make another selection in the Fourth Round; two in the Fifth; and one in the Sixth and Eighth rounds. I thought that the Lizards had to address depth at goal tending; defense; and attack heading into the draft so let’s see how the champs did.
Here’s a recap of their draft picks:
In the Third Round and 24th overall, the Lizards picked up James Pannell an attackman from Virginia. Pannell scored six goals with one assist in 2015; was named ACC Offensive Player of the Week; and named to the pre-season Third-team All-American in 2015.
Next up in the Fourth Round and 35th overall, the Lizards would pick Jacob Richard a defensive midfielder from Marquette. Richard tallied 33 ground balls; four goals and two assists during the 2015 season; and finished with a team-high 47 ground balls and 25 turnovers in 2014.
During the Fifth Round, the Lizards would have two picks. The first was Ryan Ambler, 39th overall. Rambler plays attack at Princeton. Ambler was selected as the 2016 Team Captain; Second-team All-Ivy League Selection in 2014 and 2015; and was second on the team in assists (29); and third on the team in points (51) in 2015.
The second pick in the Fifth Round and 43rd overall would be David Manning, a defenseman from Loyola. Manning started 16 games for Loyola in 2014 with 24 ground balls and six caused turnovers.
The Lizards next pick came in the Sixth Round and 52nd overall. Brody Eastwood attack for Stony Brook was chosen. Eastwood was named to the Second team All-Conference in 2015; and recorded a school single season record of 62 goals in 2015 through all 18 starts at attack.
The final pick for New York was in the Eighth Round and 70th overall where they would sign Scott Bieda an attackman from Rutgers. Bieda was named to the First Team All-Big Ten in 2015; led Rutgers with 30 goals, 28 assists and 58 points in 2015; finished third overall in the BIG EAST and 32nd nationally with 1.60 assists per game in 2014; and was named to the 2014 BIG EAST All-Tournament Team.
I can’t argue with any of the picks the Lizards made. I like the additions of James Pannell; Jacob Richard; Ryan Ambler; and Brody Eastwood. Eastwood could be the steal of the draft because he can score with the best of them.
I would have liked to seen the Lizards add a goalie to spell Drew Adams from time to time. Now we will have to wait until the 2015 MLL Champs get to training camp and kick off their 2016 season.
Until then keep warm and grow the game!
Tim Yilmaz, Beat Writer New York Lizards
Lacrosse is Awesome