Eight Atlanta Blaze Players in All-Star Game
Published on July 11, 2019 under Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Atlanta Blaze News Release
Congrats to the eight Blaze players who have been named to the 2019 Major League Lacrosse All-Star Game!
Attackmen Shayne Jackson and Randy Staats, goalie Chris Madalon, defender Liam Byrnes, faceoff specialist Alex Woodall and midfielders Bryan Cole, TJ Comizio and Brendan Sunday will be participating on Saturday, July 27th at Navy-Marine Corps Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland.
Chris Madalon currently leads the league with 88 saves and boasts this seasons' highest save percentage at 53.66% through six games played. Madalon has had some memorable games in 2019, including a 20 save game against Dallas and a 21 save game against Chesapeake.
Liam Byrnes will be joining Madalon in the defense after being recognized as the Week 6 Warrior Defensive Player of the Week. Byrnes has acted as a stonewall for Atlanta, tallying 21 ground balls, eight caused turnovers, and two assists through six games. Byrnes collected nine ground balls and caused six turnovers in the past two games for the Blaze.
In his first year out of Towson, faceoff specialist Alex Woodall has racked up 57 ground balls and 91 faceoff wins to earn his first-ever All-Star appearance. Woodall has been a constant in the midfield, using his physical stature and ground ball ability to control possession for the Blaze.
"The players representing the Atlanta Blaze have one thing in common, they are fantastic people and teammates," VP of Player Personnel, Spencer Ford said. "I am so proud of our guys, they have committed to their craft and have changed the Atlanta Blaze."
This season, all Blaze players not named Liam Byrnes will be headed to their first-ever MLL All-Star game. The Atlanta Blaze have found impact players from all over, using the Collegiate Draft and scouting to bring new talent to Major League Lacrosse.
"Seven of the eight are first-time All-Stars but they will quickly show the world... this won't be their last," Ford raved.
First-year players Brendan Sunday and TJ Comizio have adjusted well, earning nods to their first career All-Star games. This year's 13th overall Collegiate Draft pick out of Towson, Brendan Sunday will be making his first career All-Star appearance. He has produced early in his career, totaling five goals, five assists, and 10 ground balls on the season. Comizio, a rookie midfielder out of Villanova, has been key in the transition game for Atlanta.
Attackman Shayne Jackson is second in the league with 29 points (18 goals and 11 assists) in his third MLL season. Second-year midfielder Bryan Cole and fifth-year attackman Randy Staats round out the list of Blaze players who will be traveling to Annapolis. Staats has acted as the main facilitator of the Blaze offense, tied for the league lead win 13 assists through five games played. Cole, a midfielder out of Maryland, has tallied 26 points (20 goals and six assists) on the season.
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