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Ohio Machine Adds to Defensive Line with Latest Trade

March 28, 2013 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Ohio Machine News Release


COLUMBUS, Ohio (March 27, 2013) - The Ohio Machine (Machine), Ohio's professional lacrosse team in Major League Lacrosse (MLL), announced today a trade with the Hamilton Nationals (Nationals) that brings goalkeeper Scott Rodgers and defenseman Chad Wiedmaier to the Machine's 2013 roster, as well as the National's second round 2014 MLL Collegiate Draft pick. In return, the Nationals receive midfielder Roy Lang and the Machine's first round 2015 MLL Collegiate Draft pick.

"Chad Wiedmaier is one of the top emerging young defensemen in Major League Lacrosse and Scott Rodgers is a proven winning goaltender at this level. We expect both players to add considerable depth to their respective positions as we get ready for the season to begin on May 4th," said Machine President and General Manager John Algie. "We are sorry that we never got the opportunity to see Roy Lang in a Machine uniform but with the talent we added in this year's College Draft, we couldn't pass up the opportunity to bolster our defensive unit with this trade. We wish him the best of luck with Hamilton."

Three-year MLL veteran Rodgers was drafted seventh overall by the Nationals in the 2010 MLL Collegiate Draft. In his rookie campaign, Rodgers played in eight games and ranked second among MLL goalies with a .571 save percentage and third with a 12.26 goals-against average. Rodgers followed up his rookie year by helping lead the Nationals to 2011 MLL Championship Weekend and to the finals. He was again third in MLL with an 11.46 goals-against average and fourth with a .558 save percentage. Rodgers set the Nationals' single-season saves record with 106 in 2011. Prior to joining MLL, Rodgers played for the University of Notre Dame where he was named Most Outstanding Player of the 2010 NCAA Championship and was a two-time All-American. Rodgers finished his 2010 senior season ranked first nationally in save percentage (.605) and third in goals-against average (7.56).

"Rodgers has shown that he is capable of being a top goaltender in Major League Lacrosse and we expect that he will create considerable competition for playing time in the cage this year," said Algie.

Princeton University alum Wiedmaier comes to the Machine after being drafted by the Nationals in the 2012 MLL Collegiate Draft as the seventh overall pick. He played nine games for the Nationals during his rookie season, collecting 18 groundballs and one assist. As a four-year starter for Princeton, Wiedmaier was also a four-time All-American and four-time First Team All-Ivy League. He was the first Princeton player to achieve First Team all four seasons and held Rob Pannel, the first overall pick in the 2012 MLL Collegiate Draft, to just four for 44 shooting during their matchups in college.

"Wiedmaier is a tough and smart defender who can bolster our back line and has the potential to become a top defenseman in the league," said Algie.

The Machine's 2013 season and home opener will be hosted at Selby Stadium on Saturday, May 4, against the Denver Outlaws. The 2012 MLL Championship runners up Outlaws are led by 2012 MLL MVP Brendan Mundorf and 2012 MLL Defensive Player of the Year Lee Zink.

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