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Oct. 28, 2003
Toronto, Ontario – Former University of Virginia lacrosse standouts A.J. Shannon and Chris Rotelli were selected in the National Lacrosse League Draft last Saturday, Oct. 25, at the Westin Harbour Castle in Toronto. The indoor lacrosse league begins its 16-week schedule on Dec. 26.
Shannon was chosen by the Buffalo Bandits with the sixth pick of the first round. An Ontario native, Shannon was a stellar indoor player before matriculating at UVa and taking up the outdoor game. Owner of one of the hardest shots in the game, the lefty finished his career 12th in school history with 90 goals and 23rd in career points (119). He was named an honorable mention All-American following his junior and senior seasons.
He scored a career-high 34 goals as a senior in 2003, tied for the second-most goals by a middie in school history, while his career-high 42 points are fourth-most by a UVa middie.
Shannon scored four goals in last season’s national championship game to lead the Cavaliers to a 9-7 win over Johns Hopkins on Memorial Day and was named to the All-NCAA Tournament team.
The Bandits were 12-4 last season and lost in the semifinals of the league playoffs to Rochester.
One of the most decorated players in the history of the Virginia program, Rotelli was selected by the Rochester Knighthawks with the fourth pick of the sixth round (57th overall).
A complete midfielder who made an impact on both ends of the field with his tenacious defense and variety of offensive skills, he was the recipient of the Tewaaraton Trophy as the top player in the nation during UVa’s national championship season this past spring. He was also named the USILA Midfielder of the Year in 2003 and was a two-time first-team All-American (2002-03).
Last season he set a school record for a midfielder with 49 points (26g, 23a) and tied for the team lead in scoring, becoming the first middie to lead the team in scoring since 1966. Rotelli finished tied for 14th in school history with 85 goals and 22nd with 126 points.
Rochester lost in the championship game to Toronto and finished with a 12-4 record last year.