Blazers Select Max Seibald in First Round of National Lacrosse League 2009 Entry Draft
Boston’s Pro Indoor Lacrosse Team Tabs Four-Time All American from Cornell University with Eighth Overall Pick
Matt Abbott and Scott Kahoe from 2009 NCAA Champion Syracuse Orangemen Selected in Second and Third Round
Wellesley’s Mike Stone picked by Blazers in Sixth Round
BOSTON (September 11, 2009) – The Boston Blazers selected three of college lacrosse’s top midfielders in the 2009 National Lacrosse League (NLL) entry draft – selecting four time All-American Max Seibald from Cornell University in the first round (8th pick overall) and former Syracuse Orangeman Matt Abbott (round 2, 20th overall) and Scott Kahoe (round 3, 33rd overall).
“These selections should make us a stronger, more athletic team,” said Head Coach Tom Ryan. “Last year we selected mostly Canadian players with significant box experience who could step in and play right away. This year, with a solid core of players returning, we targeted some top American field players who have strong upside potential to succeed in the indoor game.”
The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Seibald was the recipient of both the Tewaaraton Trophy, given to the top collegiate lacrosse player in the country, and the McLaughlin Trophy, awarded to the top midfielder in the country. Seibald has also been recognized as a two-time first team All-American, four-time All-Ivy League selection and was appointed the sole team captain of the Big Red, a distinction that has only occurred twice since 1966. In addition, he holds the Cornell University scoring record by a midfielder after amassing 141 points for the Big Red. In his senior season, Seibald scored 28 goals, helping to lead Cornell to a 13-4 record and the NCAA Championship title game.
“Max Seibald was the most highly sought after American in this year’s draft,” continued Ryan. “He is a proven winner who is tough and plays a physical style that should translate well to indoor.”
Abbott and Kahoe will remain teammates as they join the Blazers from the 2009 NCAA Champion Orangemen. Abbott is a 6-foot-2,185-pound first team All-American midfielder and a Tewaaraton finalist. He was a team captain for Syracuse, scoring 23 points (12g, 11a) and scooping 77 ground balls in the Orangemen’s 2009 campaign. Kahoe, a 6-foot-5, 215-pound midfielder, scored 16 points (9g, 7a) and scooped up 18 ground balls for the Orangemen in 2009. Kahoe also appeared in 42 games for the Georgetown Hoyas before transferring to Syracuse for his senior season.
“Matt Abbott is a do everything midfielder. He can run all day long and has a knack for coming up with the ball in key situations,” said Ryan. “His heroics in Foxboro the last two Memorial Day weekends culminated in this year’s game-tying assist with four seconds remaining leading the Orange to their second consecutive NCAA National Championship. Scott Kahoe’s size and athleticism make him a good prospect for our team.”
In the fourth round the Blazers tabbed Matt Messina from New York Institute of Technology. “Matt Messina made the Boston Cannons roster in a year that saw the teams’ contract from 10 to 6, leaving dozens of capable players without a team. He is an outstanding big bodied athletic field lacrosse player who we expect will battle for a spot,” said Ryan.
With its final selection in the sixth round, the Blazers went local selecting Wellesley’s Mike Stone who was a three-time All-American midfielder at Middlebury College. “Mike Stone is a local kid who has been tearing up the NESCAC League for the past few years at Middlebury,” said Ryan. “Being a Bowdoin graduate, I keep tabs on the league and Mike is the guy that coaches and players single out as being the top Division III college player in New England.”