2020 MLL Spotlight: Lyle Thompson
September 9, 2020 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Chesapeake Bayhawks News Release
There's not much Lyle Thompson can't do on the field. He was born to play lacrosse. Thompson, whoseÃÂ 28th birthday is today, just keeps on getting better every year.
Behind the sport of lacrosse is a deeper meaning for Thompson, his culture, and his family. Thompson is from Onondaga Reservation, which is often referred to as one of the six nations of the Iroquois Confederacy. Lacrosse is the leading sport in the Iroquois Tribe and was created by the Native Americans.
Thompson's success isn't a surprise to anyone. He was the top recruit in the nation coming out of high school before committing to the University of Albany, where he became a national sensation.
He was the first-ever back-to-back male recipient of the Tewaaraton Trophy. In 2014 Lyle shared the award with his brother Miles, but in 2015, he won it by himself. He set the Division 1 record for most career points (400) and assists (225).
After a record-breaking collegiate career, Thompson was drafted by the Florida Launch as the No.1 overall pick in the 2015 Major League Lacrosse (MLL) Draft. Eight months later, he was also the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 National Lacrosse League (NLL) Draft.
Thompson played in 26 games from 2015-2018, where he scored 63 goals, one 2-pt goal, and notched 45 assists in 26 games.
Last year, Thompson impressed in his first full season in the MLL and was named the MVP and Offensive Player of the Year while also capturing the Steinfeld Trophy. He played in 15 games for the Chesapeake Bayhawks, where he collected 46 goals, 27 assists, picked up 35 ground balls, and caused seven turnovers.
Thompson mirrored that again this season. In five games, he recorded 14 goals, 12 ground balls, five assists, and three caused turnovers.
Bayhawks Head Coach Tom Mariano told the Capital Gazette earlier this year, "Lyle is probably the best lacrosse player in the world, and he always makes all the players around him better because he draws so much defensive attention."
Thompson will look to capture his second MLL championship in his fourth season with the Bayhawks next season.
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Major League Lacrosse Stories from September 9, 2020
- 2020 MLL Spotlight: Lyle Thompson - Chesapeake Bayhawks
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