IL Indoor

Justin Pennington

One of the bigger questions for NCAA field lacrosse players looking to make the transtion to the National Lacrosse League is how well do they work away from the ball. Lots of guys can score or stop goals, but what do you bring when the ball’s not in your stick? Justin Pennington proved through his time at Rutgers University that he not only knows what to do, he does it. What’s more, he’s done it at a level that’s been recognized in the form of being a two-time All-American with speed and grit that coaches love. Goals, assists, faceoffs, ground balls. The kid does it all and if he’s got this sort of determination for the field game, you know he can bring it indoors where there’s a bit more freedom with the physical play.

Pennington’s numbers speak for themselves, especially because he wasted little time in making his presence known. His freshman year, he was second on the Rutgers team in goals (19), assists (8) and points (27) en route to earning ECAC Rookie of the Year honors. He led the team with 49 ground balls and his faceoff percentage of 50% was best on the team. As a sophomore, he led the team with 32 points on 22 goals and 10 assists and averaged 5.15 ground balls a game while winning 53% of his faceoffs.

Goals, assists, groundballs, faceoffs. Justin Pennington does it all.

As a junior, he scored 16 goals and again was tops on his team with 16 assists, while leading the team in groundballs (64) and faceoff wins (70) while being named the ECAC Offensive Player of the Year. And then as a senior, he again was a team leader with 22 goals and 14 assists for a team-high 36 points in 13 games and his 27 ground balls was third-best on the team.

That’s the sort of college career that leads to a pro career and that happened when the MLL’s Chicago Machine made him the No. 25 overall draft pick. And just like his freshman season, Pennington jumped right in and while his numbers don’t exactly sparkle, just the fact that he’s earned time in 5 MLL games as a rookie shows what sort of determination he brings when it’s time to crack a tight roster.

He makes no bones about his lack of indoor experience, but when a fella caps his career with an invite to the North/South Game, a USILA All-American nod and a spot on the All-Big East first team, he’s doing something right.

Justin Pennington

Height: 5′11
Weight: 200
Position: Midfield
From: Flemington, New Jersey
College: Rutgers
MLL: Chicago

What’s your greatest asset that will help you in the NLL? Speed/Physical
Any indoor lacrosse experience? None
A few words to describe your game? Very good between the lines
What role or position can you see yourself playing for an NLL team? Transition/Defensive Midfield
Is there a current or former NLL baller you can compare your game to? No
What accomplishment in college are you most proud of? Two-time Honorable Mention All-American

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