2017 Draft-Eligible Goalies

Ohio State goalie Tom Carey

In the 2016 MLL draft, there was only one goalie taken in the first three rounds of the draft, Maryland keeper Kyle Bernlohr.

In a league where there are only 9 teams, and only one goalie can play at a time, there is plenty of goalie talent out there for teams to choose from so they are not quick to gobble up talent early in the draft. John Galloway, arguably the best goalie in the MLL last season, was just a 4th round pick. Scotty Rodgers, a notable #7 overall pick from 2010, only played in 12 games from 2010-2015 before reclaiming rockstar status last season. The bottomline is that goalies aren’t a hot commodity in today’s high-scoring game. Maybe (hopefully) that changes as the league pushes for expansion.

With all that being said, here are my top 5 goalies eligible for the 2017 MLL draft.

#1. Shane Doss, Notre Dame

While Notre Dame had a disappointing end (2-3 in their final 5 games, including a playoff loss to UNC, after starting out 9-1) to their season, Shane Doss was a bright spot and tops off this goalie class. He had a 56% save percentage last season and has starting experience dating back to his freshman year. His goals against average (GAA) was below 8 last season and is under 9 for his career. It helps to play behind a dominant defense but that can only get you so far. During a 6 game stretch against the best teams in the country last season (Maryland, Denver, UVA, Ohio St., Cuse & Duke) Doss posted a 58% save percentage and 5-1 record.

#2. Tom Carey, Ohio State

Carey originally started his career at Bryant but transferred after it was evident that Gunner Waldt (2016 4th round pick) wasn’t going to give up the starting job. He’s posted back-to-back seasons with a save percentage above 51% and goals against average below 9.1. He’s helped put Ohio State back on the map and I think he can be very successful at the next level.

#3. Jimmy Joe Granito, Drexel

Not #3 just because of the name. Jimmy Joe has the numbers to back him up. The Loyola transfer posted a 55% save percentage last season and 53% two years ago.

#4. Tyler Behring, Fairfield

While Fairfield had an up and down 2016 campaign, Behring was one Stag who you could depend on week in and week out. His 57% save percentage was just 2nd among all D1 juniors last year. Two years ago he split time with Brad Nordstrom and made the most of his time between the pipes winning 6 of 8 starts and finishing with a 62% save percentage and 6.32 goals against average.

#5. Jackson Brown, Hobart

I’ll go with Jackson Brown from Hobart for my #5 spot. Hobart quietly had a nice 2016 season going 10-7 and beating St. Joseph’s in the conference championship to secure a bid to the NCAA playoffs. Brown played a big role in that playing in 99% of the team’s minutes last season and marking a 52% save percentage. His body type reminds me of a Blaze Riorden or Gunner Waldt in the fact that he takes up space in-between the pipes. He’s listed at 5’10, 212 but I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s closer to weighing north of 220.

The State of UMichigan Lacrosse

The University of Michigan men's lacrosse team has had a relatively slow transition, as the transitions always are, to the NCAA after winning multiple (3 in a row) championships at the MCLA level. In their first 4 years as an NCAA program UM has posted a combined 12-45 record (21% win), however have improved on a season to season basis. Here's exactly how they've fared (via lax.com).

In 2012 the team went 1-13 (7%) beater Mercer for the team's first ever NCAA win.
They also posed threats against Jacksonville and rival, Ohio State

In 2013 the Wolverines went 1-13 (7%) again
with their lone victory coming against St. Joseph's

In 2014 the Wolverines showed progression finishing 5-11 (31%)
after a 2-1 start

This past season UM went 5-8 (38%) starting out 3-1
and winning 4 of their first 7 with a big Big Ten victory over Rutgers

In the eyes of your average New England prep school athlete, the University of Michigan is the big brother of schools like those in the NESCAC having a big D1 university scene. Kids from hotbeds like Fairfield County, CT will eat up a school like Michigan. I believe that in 5 seasons Michigan lacrosse will be amongst the best in D1. It’s a top public university, they have funding, and they have strong athletics in general.

I think this is great for the sport that teams like Michigan and BU have transitioned from the MCLA level to D1 because it will eventually (in a matter of years) even out the recruiting level, and playing field - making the sport more competitive because it’s top universities like this who have the ability to poach recruits from your annual powerhouses (Virginia, JHU, UNC, etc.)

Jahlil Okafor/Myles Jones: The New Image of Duke Athletics

Freshman big-man, Jahlil Okafor

Jahlil Okafor was my winner of the player of the year (not to take away anything from or discredit Frank "The Tank" Kaminsky). While him and Frank were probably the final two candidates for the award, their numbers were quite similar and Kaminsky may have gotten the edge being he is a senior. Okafor held a slight edge in steals, blocks, rebounds, and field goal percentage (although Okafor not a 3-pt shooter like Frank) per game while Kaminsky in points and assists per game.

But this post isn't necessarily about Duke Basketball specifically, but more Duke athletics as a whole. Growing up when I thought of Duke sports I'd think of JJ Redick, Christian Laettner, Matt Danowski,  Zack Greer. Of course the first two being basketball players and the latter two being lacrosse players as those sports are probably the two most successful programs at the university.

All 4 of those players were elite players who scored through discipline and fundamentals. All 4 had their "haters" on a national scale. And all 4 were white.

Junior star, Myles Jones

But today, it's two new players who are the face of Duke athletics: Jahlil Okafor on the basketball side. Myles Jones on the lacrosse side. Both likable guys, both physically dominant, both considered the big man on the field, both wear #15, both wear the left leg sleeve. Both national champions. Both african-americans.

Jahlil Okafor will most likely go pro this summer but take a moment to appreciate these two great athletes who are the current faces of Duke athletics. They're raw athletes who use their strength to straight up ball at their level. Now that's not a line were accustomed too with Duke sports.