NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Machine Draft Eight Players in 2019 MLL Draft

March 10, 2019 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL) - Ohio Machine News Release


COLUMBUS, Ohio- The Ohio Machine drafted eight players in the 2019 Major League Lacrosse Draft presented by Cascade at the Nascar Hall Of Fame in Charlotte, NC. Ohio kicked off the draft by selecting Towson faceoff specialist Alex Woodall with the first overall selection. This marked the third time in franchise history that the Machine held the first overall pick in the MLL Collegiate Draft.

The full list of picks are as follows:

Alex Woodall - Faceoff Specialist - Towson - Round 1, Pick 1 overall

Woodall started his college career at High Point University, but opted to move back to his home state of Maryland and transfer to Towson University his sophomore year. Since becoming a Tiger, Woodall's accolades have been extensive. He has been named First Team All-CAA, CAA All-Tournament Team, Preseason Inside Lacrosse Media All-America and he has won more than 60% of the faceoffs he has taken. This season, Woodall's 73.6% faceoff percentage ranks third in the nation, including his 21-for-28 effort against Johns Hopkins, and his 20-for-26 against then number one ranked Loyola. Currently, his Towson Tigers are ranked number one atop the Inside Lacrosse and USILA Coaches Polls.

Nick Spillane - Midfield - Penn State - Round 2, Pick 10 overall

In 46 collegiate games played for the Nittany Lions, Spillane has 52 goals, 46 assists and 50 ground balls. In High School, Spillane earned honorable mention All-America honors in 2014 and second-team All-Long Island honors in 2015.

TJ Comizio - SSDM - Villanova - Round 2, Pick 15 overall

The 5' 10" senior has 128 ground balls and 43 caused turnovers in 50 collegiate games, adding two goals and 16 assists on the offensive side of the field. Comizio was named to the All-BIG EAST Second Team, and All-BIG EAST Tournament Team in 2018.

Johnny Surdick - Defense - Army - Round 3, Pick 19 overall

Surdick is no stranger to accolades, receiving USILA All-America Honorable Mention, Inside Lacrosse Media All-America, All-Patriot League First Team and Inside Lacrosse Midseason All-America honors in 2018. Surdick was also named to the 2017 USILA Honorable Mention All-America and 2017 All-Patriot League First Team lists. Surdick has 136 ground balls and 81 caused turnovers in 49 collegiate games.

Chris Young - Attack - High Point - Round 4, Pick 28 overall

After transferring to High Point from Penn State, Young made his mark, scoring 61 goals and adding 46 ground balls in 35 collegiate games. A two-time Millis Scholar-Athlete, Young has 24 goals in just seven games this season.

Matt Borges - Defense - Ohio State - Round 5, Pick 37 overall

The two-time Ohio State Scholar-Athlete and Academic All-Big Ten selection will stay in Columbus after being selected by the Machine. Borges has 93 ground balls and 29 caused turnovers in 57 collegiate games, including 19 ground balls in six games in 2019.

Sam Cleveland - Attack - Colgate - Round 6, Pick 46 overall

Cleveland was named to the 2018 All-Patriot League Second Team and 2018 Patriot League Academic Honor Roll. Cleveland has 56 goals and 69 assists in 48 collegiate games, and ranks sixth in program history in assists.

Alex Heger - Goalie - Robert Morris - Round 7, Pick 59 overall

Heger was named to the Inside Lacrosse Preseason All-NEC Team and Inside Lacrosse First Team in 2019. Heger also received Preseason All-American (1st in program history), First Team All-Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference, Inside Lacrosse Honorable Mention All-American, NEC Tournament MVP and First Team All-NEC honors in 2018, and was named a 2017 First Team All-NEC and 2016 All-NEC Rookie Team member. in 49 games played, Heger holds a 9.51 goals against average and a .561 save percentage.

The eight players will be added to the MLL collegiate inactive list, and will not count against a roster spot until dressed in an MLL game.

As the draft concludes, the Machine will now turn their attention to the 2019 season. The franchise will open its eighth MLL season on Saturday, June 4 in Boston as they take on the Boston Cannons. The Machine return to Obetz for their home opener on Saturday, June 8 against the New York Lizards.

For more information, please call (614) 754-1973 EXT. 2 or click here to purchase your single-game tickets now!

• Discuss this story on the Major League Lacrosse message board...

Major League Lacrosse Stories from March 10, 2019


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central