Barrage Add Five Players in 2003 MLL Collegiate Draft
Published on May 30, 2003 under Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Philadelphia Barrage News Release
(Bridgeport, Conn. May 30, 2003) - The Bridgeport Barrage, Connecticut's only professional lacrosse team and a charter member of Major League Lacrosse (MLL), announced today that five recently graduated collegiate players will be joining the Barrage for the 2003 season. Midfielder Chris Rotelli (Virginia), attackman Mike Springer (Syracuse), and defenders Kyle Sweeney (Georgetown), Dan Cochi (Towson), and Tom Fallon (UMass) will all be donning the Bridgeport uniform this season.
The Barrage were fortunate enough to have the first pick of the night and capitalized on that fact by selecting University of Virginia First Team All-American Chris Rotelli, who was one of many All-Americans to lead the Cavaliers to the 2003 National Championships over John Hopkins University, scoring Virginia's first goal of the contest and adding four assists. Rotelli is the first midfielder in 37 years to lead the Virginia offense in scoring with 49 points (26g, 23a). Also named the ACC Player of the Year and a leading candidate for the Tewaaraton Trophy as the nation's top player, Rotelli will be a great addition to the Barrage midfield.
The Barrage traded midfielder Brian Langtry along with their second round selection (#7 overall) to the Baltimore Bayhawks in exchange for Baltimore's first-round selection (#6 overall). The trade allowed for the Barrage to pick up four-time All-American attackman Mike Springer from Syracuse. He was the Orangemen's leading goal scorer in 2003 with 36 goals and second overall with 60 points (adding 24a). Springer leaves Syracuse ranked third on the school's all-time goals list (159), compiling a total of 229 career points (159g, 70a), ranking him ninth on the all-time scoring list.
Bridgeport's third round pick (#13 overall), Kyle Sweeney comes to the Barrage from Georgetown after leading the Hoyas all-time with 229 ground balls and serving as their tri-captain for the 2003 season. Sweeney was selected as a STX/USILA All-American for the third time in his career. The long stick midfielder led his team to the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament where the Hoyas met the Cavaliers of Virginia, the eventual National Champions.
The fourth round allowed Bridgeport to select Dan Cochi, the CAA's Defensive Player of the Year and three-time STX/USILA All-American selection and captain of the Towson Tigers. Cochi led the Tigers with 21 forced turnovers, finishing his career with 283 ground balls, holding the distinction of being second on the Towson all-time list in this category. Inside Lacrosse/Face-off Yearbook had also recognized him as a second team preseason All-American LSM.
The final selection of the night for the Barrage led them to defenseman Tom Fallon who helped UMass to their quarterfinal appearance against Maryland this past season. Fallon was selected as an All-ECAC selection and third team All-American.
The Barrage will turn to the leadership of current players to help mold these five talented college players into what it takes to succeed at the Major League level. The Barrage opens up their season against the Rochester Rattlers tomorrow at Kearney Field at 7:35 p.m. The Ballpark at Harbor Yard will be the setting for Bridgeport's first home game against the Boston Cannons on June 6 at 7 p.m.
Major League Lacrosse Stories from May 30, 2003
- Lizards add Brennan and Kostolowski at MLL Collegiate Draft - New York Lizards
- Barrage Add Five Players in 2003 MLL Collegiate Draft - Philadelphia Barrage
- Bridgeport Barrage Game Notes - Philadelphia Barrage
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