Jan. 12, 2013
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Four University of Notre Dame men’s lacrosse players were selected in the 2013 Major League Lacrosse (MLL) Collegiate Draft. Seniors John Kemp (G), Matt Miller (D), Steve Murphy (M) and Quinn Cully (M) were picked in Friday’s draft, which was held at the U.S. Lacrosse Convention in Philadelphia, Pa.
The draft consisted of eight rounds and 64 total selections.
The Rochester Rattlers picked Kemp with the first selection of the fourth round (25th overall). Kemp was the first goalie nabbed in the draft. Rochester later selected Miller in the sixth round (44th overall). The New York Lizards picked Murphy in the seventh round (53rd overall), while Cully went to the Boston Cannons in the eighth round (62nd overall).
Kemp (Potomac, Md./Georgetown Prep) earned first-team All-America honors last season as he led the nation in goals-against average (6.27) and save percentage (.637). He compiled a 13-3 record between the pipes and was named the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year. Kemp also was a 2012 Tewaaraton Award nominee and received the Ensign C. Markland Kelly, Jr. Award, which is presented annually to the nation’s top goalie. Kemp copped honorable mention All-America accolades as a sophomore in 2011.
Miller (Warrenton, Va./Notre Dame Academy) was a key force in the Fighting Irish defensive unit that ranked first nationally in 2012 by allowing just 6.31 goals per game. Notre Dame also boasted the country’s top man-down defense (.892). Miller started every contest in the close defense and picked up 30 ground balls. He received honorable mention All-America accolades and was a second team all-BIG EAST pick.
Both Kemp and Miller were named 2013 preseason All-Americans by Inside Lacrosse. Kemp was on the first team, while Miller appeared on the third team.
Murphy (Shirley, N.Y./William Floyd) played in all 16 games last season on Notre Dame’s second midfield line. He tallied a career-high 12 points on five goals and a career-best seven assists. Murphy netted two goals in a 12-10 victory over Virginia in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Championship. He has played in all 47 games during his Fighting Irish career, notching 32 points on 20 goals and 12 assists.
Cully (Duxbury, Mass./Duxbury) is a short-stick defensive midfielder that has played major minutes for the Irish since his freshman campaign. Last season, he appeared in all 16 games and helped solidify the dominating Fighting Irish defense. Cully also scored his first career goal during the 2012 season in addition to picking up eight ground balls. He has not missed a game during his Notre Dame career.
The Fighting Irish went 13-3 last season and won the BIG EAST regular-season title with a 6-0 league record. Notre Dame topped Yale, 13-7, in the first round of the NCAA Championship before downing Virginia (12-10) in the quarterfinals. The Irish fell to Loyola, 7-5, in the semifinals. It was Notre Dame’s second national semifinal appearance in the past three seasons.
Notre Dame will open its 2013 campaign Feb. 16 at Duke. Prior to that contest, the Fighting Irish will face the U.S. National Team in the Champion Challenge for the third consecutive season at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. That game is slated for Jan. 26.
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