Boston, Mass. - Major League Lacrosse (MLL), the premier professional outdoor lacrosse league, announced Tuesday that Toronto Nationals defenseman Brodie Merrill has been selected as the 2009 Warrior Defensive Player of the Year, according to MLL Commissioner David Gross. The award was based on the votes submitted by the head coaches and general manager of each of the League's six teams. Although Merrill broke records by becoming the Defensive Player of the Year for three years in a row in 2008, this season he breaks his own record by becoming the Defensive Player of the Year for an unprecedented four consecutive years.
The Ontario native attended Georgetown University and graduated in 2005. Picked up by the Rochester Rattlers in the 2005 MLL Collegiate Draft, Merrill has played for Baltimore, Rochester, and Toronto during his five year tenure in the MLL. In 2008, he won the Steinfeld Cup with his Rochester teammates, putting up an impressive 18 points throughout that season while still anchoring the team's defensive efforts.
This season Merrill has played in all twelve regular season games for the Toronto Nationals, helping them to a 7-5 record. In addition to 69 groundballs, he has tallied 12 assists and scored eight goals.
Scoring four points in the National's season opener against the Washington Bayhawks, Merrill set the tone for what would turn out to be an extremely successful season for the D-man. Merrill has earned MLL Defensive Player of the Week twice this season as well as being named Bud Light MVP in week five, helping to propel the Nationals into the post-season.
All-Time Defensive Players of the Year 2001 Rob Doerr, Baltimore Bayhawks 2002 Christian Cook, New Jersey Pride 2003 Ryan Curtis, Boston Cannons 2004 Nicky Polanco, Philadelphia Barrage 2005 Nicky Polanco, Long Island Lizards 2006 Brodie Merrill, Rochester Rattlers 2007 Brodie Merrill, Rochester Rattlers 2008 Brodie Merrill, Rochester Rattlers 2009 Brodie Merrill, Toronto Nationals
Merrill received seven first-place votes and totaled for 39 points. Denver Outlaw Lee Zink finished second in the voting with one first-place vote, finishing with 23 points.
Merrill and his #2 seeded Toronto Nationals will take on the #3 seeded Long Island Lizards in the second semifinal match of day on Saturday, August 22 at 3:00 PM ET.
The 2009 New Balance Major League Lacrosse Championship Weekend Presented by Smartlink takes place at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, one of the nation's premier athletic venues. Tailgating is permitted for both Saturday and Sunday beginning 9:00 AM. A number of great attractions will be featured in the fan zone on both days, including the Monster Energy Professional Ninja Motorcycle Stunt Team, the Warrior Lacrosse-Monster Energy Chop Shop, musical performances by Canadian Alt-Rockers MOBILE, the Parisi Speed School Youth Challenge, the Bud Light Lounge, and much more. Tickets for the 2009 New Balance Championship Weekend Presented by Smartlink are still available. Complete MLL Championship Weekend packages which include tickets to all three playoff games start at just $25 and may be purchased by calling 866-MLL-TIXX or by visiting www.mllchamps.com.
About Warrior Headquartered in Warren, Michigan, Warrior Sports is recognized as one of the sporting goods industry's premier manufacturers of innovative, high performance, cutting-edge equipment, footwear and apparel for lacrosse and hockey athletes of all ages and abilities. Founded in 1992 by former champion lacrosse player David Morrow, Warrior was acquired by privately-held New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc. in February 2004. The 2007 acquisition of Boston-based Brine Sporting Goods further established Warrior Sports as the dominant force in the lacrosse world.
Warrior is dedicated to a core set of philosophies and strengths: technical superiority, grassroots marketing, original and creative youthful expression, and strong partnerships with retailers and suppliers. Warrior's Players Club is the best players in the world helping to make the best equipment in the world and is reserved for the top professionals in lacrosse and hockey today.
About Major League Lacrosse
Major League Lacrosse (MLL), the premiere professional outdoor lacrosse league, commenced play in June of 2001. The MLL is comprised of six teams located in Boston, Chicago, Denver, Long Island, Toronto, and Washington. The season will culminate with the New Balance MLL Championship Weekend, which will take place on Saturday and Sunday, August 22 and 23 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland.
Major League Lacrosse was founded by Jake Steinfeld and is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. For more information, please visit the Official League website at www.majorleaguelacrosse.com.
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