University of Massachusets Athletics
Four Lax Alums Selected In MLL Supplemental Draft
December 11, 2009 | Men's Lacrosse
Dec. 11, 2009
AMHERST, Mass. - Four former UMass lacrosse stars were selected in the 2010 Major League Lacrosse Supplemental Draft held on Dec. 10. Three former Minutemen were selected by the Chicago Machine: Jake Deane (second round), Brian Jacovina (sixth round) and Tim Balise (11th round). Brett Garber was taken by the Washington Bayhawks in the third round.
Each off-season, the Supplemental Draft allows for teams to reload their rosters in preparation for the upcoming season's training camp. This year's draft totaled 12 rounds in order to get each team's roster up to 35 players. From here on, teams are allowed to add up to 5 more players immediately from the Player Pool or wait to host an open tryout first. Players who were drafted and remain on a team roster will automatically be invited to their team's training camp, while those who went undrafted will hope to be claimed at a later date.
Deane has played with Chicago for the last three seasons. Last year he played in 12 games and had seven goals along with 72 groundballs. He led UMass to the 2006 NCAA Championship Game and was a senior captain. As an honorable mention All-American, he dominated the field as a long stick defensive midfielder and primary face-off man. His face-off percentage was ranked 5th in the nation at 61.5 (233-379).
Garber spent last season with the Boston Cannons. In four games, he had four goals. At UMass, he played four years. He was team Captain during his senior season (2007). Named Second Team All-ECAC and to the All-New England First Team in 2007. He was tied for second on his team and fourth in the ECAC in goals (26) during his senior campaign (2007). Garber was All-New England First Team as a junior in 2006.
Jacovina has been in the MLL since 2007, playing with Boston and Denver in 2008. He had two goals in seven total games that season. The 2007 UMass grad was named to All-New England First Team that year. He was also named to the 2007 New England Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association Eighth Division I All New England Senior Scholar Athlete Team. He was a tremendous two-way player, who ran on first midfield, also played defensive midfield and on face-off wing. In 2007, he led UMass with 18 assists, tied for third in points (24).
Balise graduated from UMass in 2009 as an Academic All-American. He was also named a USILA Scholar All-American in late May. He graduated from UMass with a perfect 4.0 GPA in Psychology. Balise won an endless number of academic awards in his career. He was recently named a UMass Spring Scholar Athlete and the UMass Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year. He was also named to the NEILA Scholar-Athlete Team in addition to being an NEILA First-Team playing selection. He was also named to the All-ECAC First Team. Balise followed up a 33-goal effort in 2008 with 31 goals and five assists as a senior.
The 2010 Major League Lacrosse season begins on Friday, May 18th. Season highlights include the 2010 MLL All Star Game in Boston, MA on July 8, 2010 and the New Balance MLL Championship Weekend will be at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, MD on August 21st and 22nd.
