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NLL Rochester Knighthawks

Knighthawks Sign Faceoff Specialist

February 22, 2019 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Rochester Knighthawks News Release


The Rochester Knighthawks announced today that they have signed defenseman/faceoff specialist Greg Puskuldjian to the practice squad. He was invited to practice Wednesday night after emailing Knighthawks Owner and General Manager Curt Styres.

"It's a little different than what I am used to, but I started getting the hang of it," said Puskuldjian. "I thought it was pretty good."

The 26-year-old, who attended the 2014 NLL Combine, has been waiting for his chance to play in box lacrosse's highest league. After Knighthawks defenseman Jake Withers missed the past three games, Puskuldjian offered his services as a faceoff specialist.

"I told him [Curt] I could get the offense a few more possessions," said the decorated field lacrosse faceoff man. "He asked me if I could come to practice, so I booked a flight. I just want to play. Now, I have to take advantage of the opportunity."

Puskuldjian, pronounced pu-SCHOOL-jan, has spent the past four seasons with the Ohio Machine of Major League Lacrosse. In 41 games, he has notched two goals, 10 assists and 315 ground balls. He has also won 551 of 1,152 draws for a 48 percent faceoff winning percentage. In 2018, he won 47 percent of his draws (59 of 125) and collected 30 ground balls in five games. In 2017, he won the MLL's Steinfeld Trophy, winning 32 of 65 faceoffs and posting 23 ground balls and two goals in two playoff games. During the 2016 campaign, Puskuldjian registered career highs in ground balls (123) and faceoff wins (214).

Prior to breaking into the MLL in 2015, he played four seasons of collegiate lacrosse at Adelphi University (2011-14), where he was a three-time All-American and a three-time Northeast-10 All-Conference selection. In 2014, Puskuldjian was named Division II Specialist of the Year and a USILA First Team All-American. He also earned First Team All-Northeast-10 honors and was selected to play in the North/South All-Star game.

In his senior season, he ranked third in the nation in faceoff winning percentage at .678 and led the country in faceoff wins with 398. That season, the Glen Head, NY, native set an Adelphi record with 166 ground balls. In 2013, he finished with the top faceoff winning percentage (.672) in Division II lacrosse. During the 2012 season, he also led the nation with a .707 winning percentage.

"Greg has excelled at winning faceoffs at every level," said Styres. "He also has a great shot and will help us in the transition game."

Puskuldjian plans to work hard to make the transition to the indoor game. With the Machine, he has seen players like Tom Schreiber, Ryan Keenan, Mark Matthews, Davey Emala and Frank Brown thrive in both the MLL and the NLL. Ultimately, Puskuldjian wants to follow a similar path and represent his country at the 2019 FIL World Indoor Lacrosse Championship.

"The summer season only goes so long," he said. "I want to keep playing instead of just working out by myself in the winter. My goal is to play with the U.S. World Team."

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