Kennedy and Johnson selected by Boston, Massa chosen by Ohio in 2018 MLL Draft
SPARKS, Md. – Bryant University men's lacrosse senior Tom Kennedy (Farmingdale, N.Y.), graduate student Kenny Massa (Huntington, N.Y.) and senior Anthony Johnson (Fairfield, Conn.) were selected Wednesday night in the 2018 Major League Lacrosse Collegiate Draft, hosted at US Lacrosse headquarters.
Kennedy was chosen by the Boston Cannons in the third round (26th pick), Massa was drafted by the Ohio Machine in the fourth round (31st pick) and Johnson was selected by Boston in the seventh round (55th pick). The three selections bring Bryant's all-time total up to 13 - all since 2009 under head coach Mike Pressler - while the three selections in 2018 are a program-best for a single season.
Kennedy is a Tewaaraton watch list selection and Senior CLASS Award finalist in 2018, as the senior has tallied 14 goals, nine assists, 23 points and 23 ground balls. Kennedy is one of just two NEC midfielders with 20 points and 20 ground balls on the year. The Long Island native has accumulated 109 points and 62 ground balls in his collegiate career. Kennedy returned to the football field a year ago and was a first-team All-NEC selection and CoSIDA Academic All-District honoree, ranking in the top three in the NEC in receiving touchdowns, total touchdowns and receiving yards.
Massa ranks third in the nation in face-off percentage (.707) and second in ground balls per game (11.92) in 2018. The Long Island native has been selected as NEC Player of the Week twice and honored on the USILA Team of the Week twice. Massa was a first-team all-NEC selection in 2017. He ranks third in program history in ground balls (367) and face-off wins (612) – two categories led at Bryant by his older brother Kevin, who plays for the Charlotte Hounds.
Johnson has appeared in 63 games for a Bryant defense that has ranked 12th, 10th and fifth in his first three years in Smithfield. His 54 caused turnovers rank seventh in program history, while he has also amassed 80 ground balls. Johnson has started in all 45 games in which he has appeared over the last three seasons.
Bryant returns to action Saturday when the Bulldogs host Hobart at 2 p.m. for Senior Day. Tickets are available by clicking HERE. The game can be seen on NEC Front Row.
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