Vote your Blaze stars into the 2019 All-Star Game
Published on July 1, 2019 under Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Atlanta Blaze News Release
GET TO KNOW YOUR BLAZE STARS!
SHAYNE JACKSON (A) â Off to a hot start this season, Shayne Jackson has already compiled 15 points on 10 goals and 5 assists on the season. During Atlanta's last game against the Dallas Rattlers, Jackson scored three goals and one assist en route to a home victory. Jackson is currently tied for 2nd in the League for points (15points) and goals scored (10 goals).
Jackson is also a member of the NLL's Georgia Swarm. During his 2019 campaign, he tallied 80 points on 31 goals and 49 assists.
Before playing in professional lacrosse, Shayne Jackson was standout as a member of the Limestone Saints. His 2011 campaign saw him rack up 82 points, with 50 of those points being assists. Jackson also established an incredible 73.5% on shots on goal. These honors led him to be selected as a 2011 USILA First-Team All-American, 2011 Tewaaraton Award Finalist (First in Program History), 2011 Conference Carolinas Co-Player of the Year, and 2011 National Leader in Points (4.82) and Assists (2.94) per game.
CHRIS MADALON (G) â Entering his sixth season, Chris Madalon has a keen ability to defend the cage from his opponent's shots. Boasting a 56.4% save percentage, Madalon makes it difficult for the even the most premiere attackers to find the back of the net. With 45 saves through three games played- including a 20 save game against the Dallas Rattlers- Madalon
In his 2018 season, Chris appeared in 8 games and played over 315 minutes while posting a 3-2 win/loss record, with 99 saves.
For his collegiate career, Madalon played at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. As a redshirt junior, he started in all 16 games and played 900+ minutes, with tallied 145 saves. He also finished third on the team with 45 ground balls and had a goals against average of 8.86. These stats helped him procure a 12-3 record and an All-ACC selection.
Before his tenure at UNC, Madalon was a member of the lacrosse team Darien High School, coached by Jeff Brameier. Chris was named a high school All-American as a senior and led his team to FCIAC and state championships while his squad posted a 21-1 record. His junior season also led him to be named a high school All-American, while his team posted an undefeated 23-0 record, with an FCIAC championship and a state championship.
RANDY STAATS (A) âAfter a brief stint with the Dallas Rattlers, Randy Staats returns home to Atlanta and picked up right where he left off with the Blaze as one of the most prominent attackers in the game. In his first two seasons with the Blaze, Staats averaged 2.56 goals and 3.89 points per game. This season, Staats is tied for second in the league with 15 points with Blaze teammate Shayne Jackson. He has been the main facilitator for the Blaze, as illustrated by his league-leading nine assists.
Before playing in the MLL, Staats played at Onondaga Community College for his first two seasons, racking up 139 and 156 points in 2012 and 2013, respectively and subsequently earning first-team All-American honors both years. Staats transferred to Syracause to finish out his collegiate career. He appeared in 27 games for the Orange, where he tallied 109 points on 62 goals and 47 assists.
TOMMY PALASEK (A) â Playing in his eighth season, Palasek has knack for finding the back of the net. In his first seven seasons, Tommy has scored 144 goals, accompanied by 45 assists. He was an MLL All-Star in 2013, and he eclipsed the 30-goal mark in 2015 as a member of the New York Lizards.
Before his tenure in the MLL, Palasek played two years at Johns Hopkins before transferring to Syracuse, where he was an All-Big East second-team selection as a senior. That year he led his time in scoring with 54 points.
In high school, Palasek played football, basketball, and lacrosse at Holds Rocky Point High School. Palasek owns the school record for points and assists. In 2008, he led his team to the state championship, winning the MVP award.
LIAM BYRNES (D) â Playing in his second season with the Atlanta Blaze, Liam Byrnes is regarded by many as one of the top defensive men in the MLL. Rangy and athletic, Byrnes utilizes excellent footwork to nullify offensive opportunities of his opponents, as well as create transitions for the Blaze on offense.
At Marquette, Byrnes was named second-team All-American as a long-stick midfielder in 2016. He also was named Big East defensive player of the year. He finished his Marquette career with 218 ground balls and 102 caused turnovers in 61 games. Byrnes became the first alumnus in school history to suit up for an MLL game.
Major League Lacrosse Stories from July 1, 2019
- Vote your Blaze stars into the 2019 All-Star Game - Atlanta Blaze
- 2019 MLL Week Five Recap - MLL
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