June 25, 2007

Washington, D.C. - Former Georgetown University men's lacrosse standouts Brodie Merrill (C'05) and Kyle Sweeney (C'03) were among a group of 38 players selected to play in the Major League Lacrosse All-Star Game. The MLL All-Star Game will be held on Sunday, July 8 at 12:30 p.m. at Harvard Stadium in Boston, Mass. and will be shown live on ESPN2.

Merrill and Sweeney, each making their second All-Star appearance, will play on the 19-man Eastern Conference All-Star team and help to anchor the defensive unit. It will be the first time the duo has played together since the 2005 MLL All-Star Game. Last year, the players represented their native countries - Merrill is from Canada and Sweeney is from the United States - in the Warrior World Lacrosse Championship.

Merrill, who was named the 2006 Warrior Defensive Player of the Year, has helped the Rochester Rattlers to a 3-2 record so far this season. He has three goals and six assists for nine points, while picking up a team-high 44 ground balls. Last year, Merrill led all defensemen with 12 points and also scooped up 95 ground balls, which was the second most in the league and most among defensemen. In 2005, he was named the league's Rookie of the Year and captured the MLL Championship with the Baltimore Bayhawks. He was also the first player taken overall in the National Lacrosse League Draft by the Portland LumberJax. In 2006, he was named the NLL Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year and a First Team All-Pro. Further, he was named the NLL's Best Defenseman by Inside Lacrosse.

Sweeney is in his fourth season with the Philadelphia Barrage, helping the team to a 3-2 record this season. Sweeney has four goals and one assist for five points this season and has been among the league's top defenders since entering the league. He scored one goal and collected 32 ground balls last year as the Barrage won the MLL title.

Those two are among a group of eight former Hoyas who are currently playing in Major League Lacrosse. Sweeney's has three other Georgetown players as teammates, with Andy Corno (C'05), Pete Cannon (C'06) and Ryan Still (C'07), who was added to the team following his graduation.

Georgetown assistant coach Scott Urick is in his seventh season with the New Jersey Pride, Dave Paolisso (C'05) is in his second season with the Washington Bayhawks and Rodger Colbert (C'01) is in his first season with the Boston Cannons after spending three seasons with the New Jersey Pride.