University of Albany's Corey Small & Chris Schongar Picked in Major League Lacrosse Collegiate Draft - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Hoboken, N.J. – University at Albany’s Corey Small was taken in the third round of the Major League Lacrosse Collegiate Draft by the Toronto Nationals on Wednesday evening. Small, the 22nd overall selection, becomes the fourth player in the UAlbany program’s history to be chosen in the MLL Draft. Frank Resetarits was picked in the third round in 2007, and Jordan Levine and Brett Queener went in the first and fifth rounds, respectively, last year.

A native of St. Catharines, Ontario, Small was voted to the All-America East Conference second team for the second consecutive season. Small, who made the league’s all-rookie team as a freshman, led the conference in goals at 3.1 per game and was second in points (3.6 pg), plus posted a .419 shooting percentage. He accounted for 31 goals and five assists despite playing in just 10 games due to mid-season leg surgery. His rehabilitation was assisted by a VAC (Vacuum Assisted Closure) device that helped to heal the surgical wound and eliminate infection.

Small scored three or more goals against 17 opponents as a collegian. He struck for a career-high eight goals against Delaware on March 9, tying the program’s Division I single-game record. The left-handed attackman also had five points (3 goals, 2 assists) in a road win at Drexel and finished his career with a four-goal effort vs. Stony Brook in the America East postseason tournament.

Small completed his college career ranked sixth on the school’s all-time list with 109 goals. He also totaled 137 points. Small scored at least one point in 27 consecutive games played, dating back to May 3, 2007. His scoring streak was 10th nationally among active Division I players at season’s end.

In addition, Chris Schongar was drafted in the fifth round (42nd overall and last pick of MLL Draft) by Toronto. Schongar, a long-stick midfielder and defender, earned second-team All-America East recognition the last two seasons. He led the team with 49 ground balls. The senior is second among the program’s all-time Division I leaders with 205 ground balls. The Clifton Park, N.Y. native scored seven career goals.

“It’s a proud day for our program with Corey and Chris both being selected,” UAlbany coach Scott Marr said. “They are both perfect for the MLL, just like Merrick (Thomson), Jordan, Frank and Brett continue to be. We are thankful that our doctors and athletic training staff were able to care for Corey’s injury and save his lacrosse career.”