Woodward selected by New York Riptide in NLL Draft
9/17/2023 10:15:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse
Woodward is the eighth Golden Eagle to be selected in the NLL Entry Draft
TORONTO – Marquette University men's lacrosse defenseman Mason Woodward was selected 56th overall in the fourth round of the 2023 National Lacrosse League Entry Draft by the New York Riptide on Saturday afternoon.
Woodward is the first Golden Eagle to be selected in the NLL Entry Draft since former teammate Connor McClelland went 12th overall in the first round of the 2020 draft to the Saskatchewan Rush. In total, eight MU players have been selected in the NLL Draft and Woodward is just the second American at MU to be picked, following Liam Byrnes' selection in 2016 by the Georgia Swarm.
John Wagner was the last MU player chosen by the Riptide with a third-round selection in 2019.
Woodward was a unanimous All-BIG EAST Conference close defenseman in 2023 and is the program's only three-time USILA All-American. The native of Towson, Maryland has led the Golden Eagles in caused turnovers in each of his four campaigns and is the program's all-time leader in ground balls per game (4.71 per contest).
Woodward posted a career-high 12 ground balls at Utah on Feb. 11, 2023 and ended the regular season first in NCAA Division I in ground balls per game (5.00) among close defensemen. Overall, he was 41st nationally in ground balls per game and, in total, posted a career-high seven points (five goals, two assists), 70 ground balls and forced 16 turnovers in 2023.
Marquette all-time ground ball leader Liam Byrnes (218) is just six ground balls ahead of Woodward's 212 in his career.
Woodward is also expected to be a high selection in next spring's Premier Lacrosse League Entry Draft.
Keep up with the Marquette men's lacrosse program through social media by following on Twitter (@MarquetteMLax) and Instagram (@MarquetteMLax) and 'liking' on Facebook (/MarquetteMLax).
MU in the National Lacrosse League (2022-23 Regular Season)
Liam Byrnes, D, Philadelphia Wings
17 GP: 2 goals, 4 assists, 72 loose balls, 15 caused turnovers, 2 blocks
Connor McClelland, D, Saskatchewan Rush
18 GP: 2 goals, 2 assists, 67 loose balls, 10 caused turnovers, 11 blocks
Tanner Thomson, F, Albany Firewolves
14 GP: 20 goals, 31 assists, 13 power play points, 26 loose balls
John Wagner, F, Las Vegas Desert Dogs
15 GP: 6 goals, 9 assists, 115 loose balls, 33 caused turnovers, 14 blocks
Woodward is the first Golden Eagle to be selected in the NLL Entry Draft since former teammate Connor McClelland went 12th overall in the first round of the 2020 draft to the Saskatchewan Rush. In total, eight MU players have been selected in the NLL Draft and Woodward is just the second American at MU to be picked, following Liam Byrnes' selection in 2016 by the Georgia Swarm.
John Wagner was the last MU player chosen by the Riptide with a third-round selection in 2019.
Woodward was a unanimous All-BIG EAST Conference close defenseman in 2023 and is the program's only three-time USILA All-American. The native of Towson, Maryland has led the Golden Eagles in caused turnovers in each of his four campaigns and is the program's all-time leader in ground balls per game (4.71 per contest).
Woodward posted a career-high 12 ground balls at Utah on Feb. 11, 2023 and ended the regular season first in NCAA Division I in ground balls per game (5.00) among close defensemen. Overall, he was 41st nationally in ground balls per game and, in total, posted a career-high seven points (five goals, two assists), 70 ground balls and forced 16 turnovers in 2023.
Marquette all-time ground ball leader Liam Byrnes (218) is just six ground balls ahead of Woodward's 212 in his career.
Woodward is also expected to be a high selection in next spring's Premier Lacrosse League Entry Draft.
Mason Woodward of @MarquetteMLax selected at 56 overall by the Riptide. Welcome aboard, Mason! 🌊 pic.twitter.com/KgrZ6TDKtR
— New York Riptide (@newyorkriptide) September 16, 2023
Keep up with the Marquette men's lacrosse program through social media by following on Twitter (@MarquetteMLax) and Instagram (@MarquetteMLax) and 'liking' on Facebook (/MarquetteMLax).
MU in the National Lacrosse League (2022-23 Regular Season)
Liam Byrnes, D, Philadelphia Wings
17 GP: 2 goals, 4 assists, 72 loose balls, 15 caused turnovers, 2 blocks
Connor McClelland, D, Saskatchewan Rush
18 GP: 2 goals, 2 assists, 67 loose balls, 10 caused turnovers, 11 blocks
Tanner Thomson, F, Albany Firewolves
14 GP: 20 goals, 31 assists, 13 power play points, 26 loose balls
John Wagner, F, Las Vegas Desert Dogs
15 GP: 6 goals, 9 assists, 115 loose balls, 33 caused turnovers, 14 blocks
Players Mentioned
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