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Sabia, Spillane Picked Top-10 in 2019 MLL Draft

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Penn State men's lacrosse program saw Chris Sabia and Nick Spillane picked in the top-10 of the 2019 Major League Lacrosse Draft on Saturday night in at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, N.C.

Sabia, a defenseman from Harleysville, Pennsylvania, was selected in the first round at the No. 8 pick and the first selection by the Dallas Rattlers.
 


"I am extremely honored to have been drafted by the Dallas Rattlers," Sabia said of his selection. "I'd especially like to thank Coach [Jeff] Tambroni and Coach [Peter] Toner. They have done a tremendous job allowing me to grow as a player and a young man."

Sabia was selected as a 2018-9 team captain for the Blue & White and was recently named one of 30 candidates for the 2019 Men's Lacrosse Senior CLASS Award.

On the field, Sabia has started all 51 games in his collegiate career, and has accumulated 59 career turnovers, 89 groundballs, six goals and an assist in his time at Penn State.

The defenseman has earned both conference and national recognition as he was named both a 2017 and 2018 All-Big Ten second team honoree and was a USILA honorable mention All-American in 2017 and 2018 as well.

Spillane, a midfielder from Franklin Square, New York, was the first pick of the second round, No. 10 overall, by the Ohio Machine.


"Getting drafted is an unbelievable feeling," Spillane said of his selection. "There have been so many people who have had an unmeasurable impact on my growth as a person and a player. I am so thankful for the opportunity to join the [Ohio] Machine organization. I wouldn't be here without the help of all of my coaches, especially Coach [Jeff] Tambroni. From the day I stepped on campus, he challenged me to grow and develop into a better player and teammate. I am so grateful for all the time and effort he has put into me, which has definitely allowed me to grow and mature through my four years."

Spillane has played in 46 games for the Nittany Lions and has recorded 52 goals and 46 assists for 98 career points. He had a breakout season in 2018 when he moved down to attack, scoring 19 goals and dishing out 27 assists. In the early 2019 season, after moving back to the midfield, Spillane has scored 13 goals and added seven assists.

Sabia, Spillane and the rest of the Nittany Lions will take on Jacksonville on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. in their second game at the Crown Lacrosse Classic.