Toronto's Brodie Merrill Named Warrior Defensive Player of the Year For Fifth Consecutive Year

Boston, Mass. (August 18, 2010) - Major League Lacrosse (MLL), the premier professional outdoor lacrosse league, announced Wednesday that Toronto Nationals defenseman Brodie Merrill has been selected as the 2010 Warrior Defensive Player of the Year, according to MLL Commissioner David Gross. The award was based on the votes submitted by the head coaches and general manager of each of the League's six teams.

Merrill broke records by becoming the Defensive Player of the Year for three years in a row in 2008, this season he breaks his own record by becoming the Defensive Player of the Year for an unprecedented five consecutive years.

The Ontario native attended Georgetown University and graduated in 2005. Picked up by the Rochester Rattlers in the 2005 MLL Collegiate Draft, Merrill has played for Baltimore, Rochester, and Toronto during his six year tenure in the MLL. Merrill took home the Steinfeld Cup the past two seasons. In 2008, he put up 18 points throughout that season while anchoring Rochester's defensive efforts. In 2009, as a National, he scored a season high eight goals and recorded 20 points leading the defense to victory.

This season Merrill played ten regular season games for the Toronto Nationals, contributing 12 points and 55 ground balls.

Merrill received 3 first place, 2 second place and 3 third place votes to outnumber the competition for the award. Denver's Lee Zink and Long Island's Nicky Polanco tied for second with 3 first place votes each.

All-Time Defensive Players of the Year

2001 Rob Doerr, Baltimore Bayhawks
2002 Christian Cook, New Jersey Pride
2003 Ryan Curtis, Boston Cannons
2004 Nicky Polanco, Philadelphia Barrage
2005 Nicky Polanco, Long Island Lizards
2006 Brodie Merrill, Rochester Rattlers
2007 Brodie Merrill, Rochester Rattlers
2008 Brodie Merrill, Rochester Rattlers
2009 Brodie Merrill, Toronto Nationals
2010 Brodie Merrill, Toronto Nationals

The 2010 Major League Lacrosse Championship Weekend presented by Warrior takes place at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, one of the nation's premier athletic venues. Tailgating is permitted for both Saturday and Sunday beginning at 9:00 AM. A number of great attractions will be featured in the fan zone on both days, including the Warrior Lacrosse Chop Shop, musical performances by MAD PLANET, Bud Light Build-A-Bar, face painting and other activities for fans.
Tickets for the 2010 Championship Weekend presented by Warrior are still available. Complete MLL Championship Weekend packages which include tickets to all three playoff games start at just $30 and may be purchased by calling 866-MLL-TIXX or by visiting www.majorleaguelacrosse.com. Single day tickets will go on sale beginning Sunday, August 15 and will cost $20.