Sikora, Bieda Selected In Major League Lacrosse Draft
Jan 22 | Men's Lacrosse
BALTIMORE (January 22, 2016) - Rutgers men's lacrosse had two seniors selected in the 2016 Major League Lacrosse Collegiate Draft, held Friday afternoon in the Baltimore Hilton's Holiday Ballroom. Long-stick midfielder Zack Sikora was selected in the seventh round (61st overall) by the Charlotte Hounds, while attacker Scott Bieda was picked by the New York Lizards in the eighth round (70th overall).
"I'm very happy for both Zack Sikora and Scott Bieda today after being drafted to play in the MLL," head coach Brian Brecht said. "Both have worked extremely hard and have developed so much over the past three years to earn this opportunity to play professional lacrosse. As seniors it is an exciting year for them, and now it is even more exciting to be able to play in the MLL this summer after graduation."
A Clifton, Virginia native, Sikora has played 39 games in a Scarlet Knights uniform. He has collected 78 ground balls, caused 17 turnovers, and scored nine goals with five assists for 14 points. He was named Honorable Mention All-Big Ten last season after scoring six goals with two assists, 48 ground balls and causing eight turnovers.
A Bridgewater, N.J. native, Bieda will be a two-time captain for the Scarlet Knights. Last season, Bieda led the Scarlet Knights with 30 goals and 28 assists for 58 points, and was named First Team All-Big Ten. He also earned all-conference honors as a sophomore, being named Second Team All-BIG East after scoring 18 goals and adding 25 assists for 43 points in 2014. In his career, Bieda has started 40 of his 46 games played, scoring 62 goals and posting 66 assists for 128 career points.
Sikora and Bieda give Rutgers eight players selected in the history of the MLL Draft. This is the second time that two players were selected in the same draft (2006).
In 2015, Joe Nardella was selected in the fifth round (36th overall) by the Boston Cannons. Five other Rutgers players have previously been selected by the MLL: Justin Pennington (2010 5 th round, 25th overall by Chicago), Chris O'Dougherty (2009 4 th round, 31 st overall by Denver), Greg Havalchak (2006 4 th round, 32 nd overall by Baltimore), Devon Britts (2006 5 th round, 45 th overall by Los Angeles) and Keith Cromwell (2001 2 nd round, 7 th overall by Bridgeport).
Sikora and Bieda represent the third and fourth players under head coach Brian Brecht to be selected by a MLL team. In addition to Nardella, Brecht also coached goalkeeper Brent Herbst, who was selected 22nd overall in 2010, while at Siena.
Rutgers had six total former players see action in the MLL this past season: Nardella, Brendan Porter, Justin Pennington, Chris O'Dougherty, Chris Mattes and Duncan Clancy.
Full results of the 2015 Major League Lacrosse Draft are available here.
Rutgers season begins on Feb. 13. Season tickets are now on sale here, with a discounted rate of $40 available until Jan. 29.
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