HIGH POINT, N.C. – Seniors Dan Lomas and Matt Thistle of the High Point University men’s lacrosse team were selected in the 2016 Major League Lacrosse Draft on Friday afternoon.
The Ohio Machine used the 38th overall selection on Lomas before the Boston Cannons selected Thistle with the 58th pick.
“Both Dan and Matt have had such an amazing impact on our program on and off the field,” head coach Jon Torpey said. “They are extremely hard-working and high-character individuals. This is a great honor that both of them deserve. To have the ability to further your player career in the professional ranks is a phenomenal accomplishment. My staff and I are so proud and we look forward to a great senior campaign for Dan and Matt.”
Lomas and Thistle join Pat Farrell and Austin Geisler in the MLL after the duo was chosen in the 2015 draft.
Dan Lomas | 5-11 | 186 | Attack | Burlington, Ontario | Ohio Machine
Lomas is the two-time conference offensive player of the year and two-time USILA honorable mention All-American. The senior has scored a program-record 121 career goals after posting 43 goals during his junior season. The Burlington, Ontario native has scored six goals on three separate occasions in his career. The lefty registered four goals and one assist as the Panthers bested Richmond in the Southern Conference championship game.
Matt Thistle | 5-7 | 146 | Attack | Chelmsford, Mass. | Boston Cannons
Thistle is a two-time all-conference selection while serving as the quarterback of the Panthers’ offensive attack. He led the team in points in 2013 and 2014 before finishing one point behind Michael LeClair last season. The Chelmsford, Mass. native has racked up 67 goals and 80 assists to post 147 points – a High Point career record. In the NCAA Tournament against Towson, Thistle led the HPU offense with two goals and an assist.
The Purple & White open their regular season on Friday, Feb. 12 at 7:00 p.m. against No. 3 Duke in Durham, N.C.