May 2, 2006

Washington, D.C. - Former Georgetown University lacrosse standout Brodie Merrill was named the National Lacrosse League's Defensive Player of the Year on Tuesday. Merrill becomes the first rookie to win the award outright.

Merrill, a two-time All-American at Georgetown, was selected with the top pick in the 2005 NLL Draft by the Portland (Ore.) LumberJax. The rookie defenseman picked up 214 loose balls in his first season. The total represents the second-highest single season total in league history (Toronto's Jim Veltman picked up 226 this season to set the new season record). Merrill also contributed greatly to the Lumberjax offense, ranking second on the team in assists (32) and third in overall points (49). Merrill collected seven weekly awards throughout the season.

The rookie was named as one of the team's three assistant captains at the start of the season and helped lead the expansion Portland club to the West Division regular season title and a tie for best record in the league at 11-5. Merrill anchored a Portland defense that allowed 177 goals during the regular season, ranking fifth in the league.

Merrill becomes the first rookie to win the award outright. The award winners are chosen by a vote of the leagues coaches, general managers and executives.

At Georgetown, Merrill earned All-American honors in 2004 and 2005, was named the 2005 ECAC Defensive Player of the Year, the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association's recipient of the Outstanding Division I Defensive Player of the Year, and two-time Hoya team most valuable player.

Georgetown, ranked No. 5 in the country, plays at Penn State on Saturday, May 8. Face-off is slated for 1 p.m. The Hoyas (10-2, 5-1 ECAC Lacrosse League) are tied with the Nittany Lions for first place in the league. The winner of Saturday's game will win the ECAC title outright. The Hoyas enter the weekend having won their last two games and 10 of their last 11 overall.