Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 1/7/16
Staff Report
The recently released Atlanta Blaze roster has a distinct Philly flavor.
Jon Gill, playing at Lynchburg
The Blaze, in its first season in the MLL, will field a team that includes three Philly players – defenseman Jon Gill (Unionville), defenseman Casey Ikeda (Conestoga) and midfielder Patrick Resch (La Salle). The new Blaze Vice President is Liam Banks (Founder of LB3 and Phillie Elite club program). See story posted Wednesday on Banks’ hiring.
Gill, 6-0, 210, was acquired in the Supplemental Draft as a 15th Round pick. Gill was named as the Virginia State Division III Player of the Year in 2014 when he also was named a First Team USILA All-American. The Avondale, Pa., native corralled 50 ground balls on the year and caused 28 turnovers en route to being selected to the North/South Senior Game.
Casey Ikeda
Ikeda, 5-11, 180, was selected in the Expansion Draft. He was a 2015 USILA First Team All-American for Maryland and helped the Terps reach the NCAA title game. he also was a USILA Scholar All-American and the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. He also was a maryland co-captain.
As a senior Ikeda caused 18 turnovers, picked up 29 ground balls and dished three assists as the Terps ranked first in the nation in scoring defense.
Resch, 6-2, 100, was selected in the 4th round of the Supplemental Draft. He played one season with Duke – in 2015 – after transferring from Dartmouth and was a standout defensive midfielder through his collegiate career. Resch played in 62 collegiate games overall and 18 for Duke and finished his collegiate career with 14 goals and 11 assists for 25 points. He picked up 126 ground balls and forced 34 caused turnovers.
Patrick Resch