Maryland attack Joe Walters played his last collegiate lacrosse game Saturday in an NCAA national semifinals loss to Massachusetts.
But the first team All-American is far from being done with the sport. Walters, the Terps all-time leader in career goals (153) and points (227), is expected to be the first overall selection by the Rochester Rattlers in Wednesday?s Major League Lacrosse draft.
The selection makes sense for everyone involved as the Rattlers get a Tewaarton Trophy finalist. And Walters would return to his hometown, where he was a standout at Irondequoit High School. Along with turning pro, Walters was the lone college player named to the 2006 U.S. National team that will compete at the World Lacrosse Championships from July 14-22 in London, Ontario.
Rochester owns the first, eighth and tenth overall draft picks, while the defending MLL champion Baltimore Bayhawks own the second, fourth and fifth picks.
“Joe is a very creative player, and with the goalie play so good in this league, you need someone who is accurate and has all of the tools to be successful,” Rattlers coach B.J. O?Hara said.
Walters, who finished with 36 goals and 24 assists this season, said it is important for him to do what he can to please all the fans, no matter where he is playing.
“I want to do whatever I can to give back to the game,” Walters said. “I remember what it?s like to ask for an autograph or to pose for a picture. To me, it?s a wayto pass the torch to the next generation of players. Also, I know what I do is not only a reflection on myself but on my team.”
Maryland coach Dave Cottle said Walters is the type of player that brings more to a team than just impressive statistics.
“Joe Walters is a player that just ?gets it,?” Cottle said. “He understands what the game did for him, and he won?t leave the stadium until every kid who wants one leaves with an autograph.”
THE WALTERS FILE
Hometown: Rochester, N.Y.
Position: Attack
Major: Criminology and criminal justice
Did you know? Walters was a first-team All American selection in 2004 and was on the second team in 2005 ? In Saturday?s 8-5 loss to UMass, he was held scoreless for only the third time in four years ? He was the 2003 ACC Rookie of the Year ? The MLL draft begins at 8 p.m. at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Conn. ? In all, there are five rounds with 10 picks each in this year?s MLL draft.
