The Women’s Professional Lacrosse League (WPLL) held their 2019 WPLL Spring Draft on Thursday via their social media channels. The league, now in it’s second year, has gained notoriety by partnering with the Premier Lacrosse League, in addition to their games now being broadcast on the ESPN Networks. A video of the women’s lacrosse league’s draft can be found below:
WPLL 2019 Draft
If we could sum this draft up in one word, it would be depth. The NCAA’s top goalkeeper not getting drafted until the fifth round? You know you’ve got depth at the goalkeeper position in the league and a veeeeeeery deep recruiting class coming in when that is the case.
Here are the picks from the draft:
WPLL 2019 Spring Draft First-Round Results
1. Sam Apuzzo (Boston College) – New York Fight
In the circle or around the crease she’s a game-changing attacker who can will her team to victory.
With the #1 overall pick in the 2019 Spring #WPLLdraft, @wpllfight selects attacker Sam Apuzzo (@BCwlax) pic.twitter.com/KejQ4RqsKV
— WPLL (@prowomenslax) April 26, 2019
Definitely a no-brainer here. Sam Apuzzo is the top-player on an incredibly stacked team that is currently undefeated, looking to make a run at this year’s national title. Apuzzo is currently fifth in the nation in goals per game this year 4.18 GPG, and is fifth in the nation in points per game with 5.65 PPG. The electric attackman and 2019 US Lacrosse Preseason Player of the Year will look to make an immediate impact in a league that prides itself on offensive innovation of the women’s game.
2. Dempsey Arsenault (Boston College) – Baltimore Brave
Reliable, relentless, and resilient on both ends of the field. With the 2nd overall pick of the #WPLLdraft, @wpllbrave selects midfielder Dempsey Arsenault (@BCwlax) pic.twitter.com/wzHB4OqBJl
— WPLL (@prowomenslax) April 26, 2019
I’m sorry, but another Boston College Women’s Lacrosse player being drafted with the next pick? It just goes to show how dominant the BC Eagles have been this year if they can graduate this kind of talent. Arsenault was named to the Tewaaraton Watchlist earlier this year, and is a versatile two-way midfielder that can dominate you both offensively and defensively. She is third on her team in total points with 52 goals and 20 assists on the year. When you’re on a team that has four players over 50 points on the year, you know you’ve got some offensive production. Arsenault should fit in well with the Brave and make an immediate impact.
3. Kenzie Kent (Boston College) – New England Command
Her gritty creativity and field-vision takes her teammates to another level.
With the 3rd overall pick of #WPLLdraft, @wpllcommand selects attacker Kenzie Kent (@BCwlax) pic.twitter.com/TQrwAEfgMO
— WPLL (@prowomenslax) April 26, 2019
Another Boston College player. (Has this ever happened in the history of pro sports?!) Kent is the field general for the Eagles, having dished out an NCAA-leading 58 assists while still managing 36 goals on the year. The Norwell, Massachusetts native will feel right at home as she will continue to play in Massachusetts with her new club. She will be a dangerous weapon for a team that won last year’s WPLL title. Keep an eye out for her to be a future star.
4. Selena Lasota (Northwestern University) – Philadelphia Fire
A record-setting scorer who finds the back of the net when it matters the most.
With the 4th overall pick of #WPLLdraft, @wpllfire selects attacker Selena Lasota (@NULax) pic.twitter.com/1lRtyaGaUL
— WPLL (@prowomenslax) April 26, 2019
Selena Lasota is third in the nation in goals per game with 4.21 GPG and even set a record in last year’s NCAA Tournament for goals scored in a game with nine. The prolific scorer is dangerous from anywhere on the field, and will be a huge pick-up for the Fire. But first, she will look to lead Northwestern to Championship Weekend for the first time since 2014. Add a national championship to her already impressive resume, and she could be one of the draft’s top players down the stretch.
5. Erica Evans (Maryland) – Upstate Pride
Equally successful as option #1 or as a factor within the system.
With the 5th overall pick of the #WPLLdraft, @wpllpride selects midfielder Erica Evans (@marylandWLax) pic.twitter.com/8fzW6xh3D6
— WPLL (@prowomenslax) April 26, 2019
Erica Evans came to the Maryland Terrapins by way of Canisius as a graduate student. Evans holds about every scoring record you can think of at Canisius, but had to sit out her senior season due to injury. Now, as a Terp, Evans has totaled 35 goals in her final campaign to go along with nine assists. Look for Evans to continue to recover and make an impact at the professional level.
WPLL 2019 Spring Draft Second-Round Results
- Jen Giles (Maryland) – Upstate Pride
- Maggie Jackson (Virginia) – Philadelphia Fire
- Olivia Jenner (Duke) – New England Command
- Garrity Parros (UNC) – Baltimore Brave
- Lindsey Ronbeck (Florida) – New York Fight
WPLL 2019 Spring Draft Third-Round Results
- Elizabeth George (Princeton) – New York Fight
- Kayla Brisolari (Penn State) – Baltimore Brave
- Miranda Stinson (Colorado) – New England Command
- Taylor VanThof (Loyola Maryland) – Philadelphia Fire
- Sydney Pirreca (Florida) – Upstate Pride
WPLL 2019 Spring Draft Fourth-Round Results
- Elizabeth Miller (Boston College) – Upstate Pride
- Francesca Whitehurst (Georgetown) – Philadelphia Fire
- Julia Braig (Maryland) – New England Command
- Caroline Sdanowich (James Madison) – Baltimore Brave
- Lindsey Ehrhardt (Loyola Maryland) – New York Fight
WPLL 2019 Spring Draft Fifth-Round Results
- Megan Taylor (Maryland) – New York Fight
- Carolyn Jamison (UMBC) – Baltimore Brave
- Izzy Nixon (Yale) – New England Command
- Charlotte Sofield (UNC) – Philadelphia Fire
- Caroline Steele (Maryland) – Upstate Pride
Here a breakdown of players drafted by their college team:
- Maryland – 5
- Boston College – 4
- UNC – 2
- Florida – 2
- Loyola Maryland – 2
- Princeton – 1
- Penn State – 1
- Colorado – 1
- Georgetown – 1
- Virginia – 1
- Duke – 1
- James Madison – 1
- Northwestern – 1
- UMBC – 1
- Yale – 1
Overall, a great draft. Excited to see how much further the league can grow and expand in its second year.
