St. John's University Athletics
Dom DeNapoli Selected In 2010 MLL Supplemental Draft
12/11/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse
Dec. 11, 2009
QUEENS, N.Y. - On Thursday, St. John's lacrosse alumnus Dom DeNapoli became the second Red Storm player in two years to be selected in the Major League Lacrosse Draft. DeNapoli was selected in the ninth round of the 2010 Supplemental Draft by the Long Island Lizards.
The supplemental draft is one of two annual drafts by the MLL that helps teams fill their rosters for the upcoming season's training camp. The draft's 12 rounds allow each team to reach a roster size of 35 players.
In the summer of 2008, former Red Storm attacker Tom Michaelsen became the first St. John's lacrosse player to be drafted by the MLL, as he was taken in the fifth round of the collegiate draft by the San Francisco Dragons.
"I'm very excited to have been drafted by the Long Island Lizards, especially as a native of Long Island," DeNapoli said. "I always looked up to my teammate Tom Michaelsen, and when he was drafted, I knew that was something I wanted to do as well."
DeNapoli was one of eight drafted players that went to schools now participating in the newly-formed BIG EAST Lacrosse conference.
"It's a great pick up by the Lizards," Red Storm head coach Jason Miller said. "They'll love what Dom brings to the table. He's good in the unsettled, and he handles the ball like a short stick. He's relentless on loose balls, and he's got a great motor. Coaches love to have guys like that on their team."
In his four-year career with St. John's, DeNapoli tallied 258 ground balls, 40 caused turnovers, 10 goals, five assists and a face-off percentage of .480. In 2009, DeNapoli was named to the USILA North/South Senior All-Star game, All-ECAC First Team and tabbed the NCAA Ground Balls Statistical Champion, finishing the season with 119.
DeNapoli recorded a hat trick in his final game in a Red Storm uniform against third-ranked Duke, scoring three goals on just three shots taken and tallying six ground balls and a .555 face-off percentage.
Currently working as an undergraduate volunteer assistant coach for St. John's, DeNapoli plans on finishing his bachelor's degree this spring.
Along with Michaelsen, St. John's assistant coach Brian Jacovina has also played in the MLL. He was drafted in the 2007 Supplemental Draft by the Denver Outlaws and played with the Boston Cannons in 2008.
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