NATIONALS ACQUIRE TOP DEFENSEMAN

By acquiring Durkin, who was the third overall pick, the Nationals now have the second, third and fifth overall selections from the 2013 Major League Lacrosse Collegiate Draft. Hamilton drafted Chris Lapierre of Virginia with the second pick, and Josh Hawkins of Loyola with the fifth selection overall.
 

“I have watched Tucker play in a lot of games with Hopkins over the last three years,” said Nationals Head Coach Dave Huntley. “He is a terrific competitor and will be a key addition to our team.”
 

Durkin enters his senior season with the Johns Hopkins Blue Jays in 2013. He was a First Team USILA All-American and the Schmeisser Award winner as the nation's top defensive player as a junior. The 6-2, 210-pound defenseman is a two-time All-American, previously earning Third Team All-America honors as a sophomore. As the third overall pick, he was the highest Johns Hopkins’ player selected in the MLL Draft since Michael Kimmel was taken second overall in the 2010 draft by the Chesapeake Bayhawks.
 

“Tucker was the highest ranked defenseman in the draft,” said Nationals General Manager Stu Brown. “He is a guy we have had on our wish list for over a year now. He is arguably one of the most physical and nasty d-men to come out of college in the last few years. We feel that he will help anchor our back end, and bring a physical presence to our defense.”
 

“I think this is a huge pick up for us. He is the best cover defenseman in the college game today,” added Assistant GM Jody Gage. “We love his physical play and compete level. We had a tough decision with our second overall pick and selected Lapierre. Now we have both players. Tucker adds something we have been missing and that’s a physical presence.”
 

The Nationals will kick off their 2013 schedule on the road against the Boston Cannons on Saturday, May 4th. The home opener is set for Saturday, May 11th at 7:00 p.m. against the New York Lizards.