Coholan Highlights UVA's 2016 MLL Draft Picks
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Jan. 22, 2016
BALTIMORE –Virginia senior midfielder Greg Coholan was selected No. 6 overall in the 2016 Major League Lacrosse Collegiate Draft by the Boston Cannons. Coholan’s name was called from the podium Friday afternoon inside the Holiday Ballroom at the Baltimore Hilton.
Also selected on Friday afternoon was attackman James Pannell. The New York Lizards selected Pannell (Smithtown, N.Y.) in the third round with the 24th overall pick. The Chesapeake Bayhawks selected LSM/defenseman Michael Howard (Richmond, Va.) in the seventh round, 55th overall. Howard is a unique situation since he is a redshirt junior. Howard will graduate from UVA in May and at this time is unsure if he will return for his final season of eligibility in 2017, thus making him a late addition to the draft pool.
Coholan (Rochester, N.Y.) gives UVA a first round selection in eight straight seasons and the Cavaliers’ 19 all-time first round selections in the MLL Draft are more than any school in the nation. Syracuse is No. 2 with 18 after two first round selections in 2016.
“I am very grateful to be selected in the first round by a great organization,” said Coholan. “I am excited to continue my lacrosse career at the next level, but all my focus is on UVA lacrosse as we embark on what I believe will be a fun season.”
Virginia now has 49 all-time selections in the MLL Draft, which trails only Syracuse (57) for most in the nation all-time. UVA has had at least one player drafted in 15 straight MLL Drafts after having no one taken in the very first collegiate draft in 2001.
Coholan, one of UVA’s three 2016 captains, was named a preseason All-American (second-team) by Inside Lacrosse’s Face-Off Yearbook. Coholan led UVA with 39 goals and 53 points in 2015.
Pannell will have the opportunity to play with his brother, Rob, in New York. Rob Pannell was the No. 1 overall pick in 2012 out of Cornell by the Lizards. Pannell, one of UVA’s three 2016 captains, appeared in only six games in 2015 before suffering a season-ending lower extremity injury. Pannell scored 11 goals before going down with the injury. He owns 57 career goals and 73 total points.
Howard is one of the best poles in the nation and picked up 50 ground balls in 2015, while causing 17 turnovers. He appeared in all 15 games with three starts on defense. In the other 12 games Howard played long-stick midfielder.