University of Albany Men's Lacrosse: John Maloney, Blaze Riorden Taken in 2016 MLL Collegiate Draft - UAlbany Sports 2016

BALTIMORE – UAlbany seniors John Maloney and Blaze Riorden have been selected in the 2016 Major League Lacrosse (MLL) Collegiate Draft. Maloney, a midfielder, was selected 22nd overall by the Chesapeake Bayhawks and will join UAlbany alum Matthew Bertrams on the team. Riorden, a goalkeeper and native of Fairport, will play for his hometown team the Rochester Rattlers after being selected 51st overall and joins alum Ty Thompson. “It is an honor to get drafted by the Bayhawks, and I owe it all to my coaches and teammates,” said Maloney. “I look forward to being able to play lacrosse after I graduate, and am extremely grateful.” “I’m just excited for the opportunity to play at the next level, especially in the place I call home,” said Riorden. “I couldn’t have done it without my teammates and coaches, and especially my father Mike, my mother Jeannie and brother Connor.” The MLL is the professional field lacrosse game with nine teams. The league’s draft was held during the Lacrosse Convention in Baltimore. With the draft picks today, at least one UAlbany player has been drafted into the MLL in nine of the last 10 years. In all, including Maloney and Riorden, 19 UAlbany players have been drafted and/or played in the MLL since 2007. Last year, UAlbany alumni Lyle Thompson, Miles Thompson, Ty Thompson, Brett Queener, Matthew Bertrams and Ryan Feuerstein all played in the league. Maloney, a fixture in UAlbany’s first midfield the last three years, earned America East All-Conference Second Team honors in 2015 as well as a place on the America East All-Academic Team. Going into his senior year, Maloney has scored 56 goals and 27 assists for 83 points, adding 88 ground balls and 18 caused turnovers. Last season, he finished with 16 goals, 20 assists, 54 ground balls and 13 caused turnovers. Riorden, the starting goalkeeper the past three seasons, is a three-time America East All-Conference player, including First Team honors in 2014 and 2015. Starting in 55 games in his career, Riorden has saved 53.3% of shots against him with an 11.04 goals allowed average. As a junior, Riorden was first in the America East with a 9.93 goals allowed average and saving 56% of shots, also scoring an end-to-end goal against Cornell. Maloney and Riorden will be eligible to play in the MLL after their senior season concludes at UAlbany. Last season, Lyle Thompson was the first overall pick in the MLL to the Florida Launch.