IL Indoor

Matt Drenan

You don’t get into an NCAA Division I lacrosse lineup without having that intangible sense of competitiveness, and there’s no doubting Matt Drenan has that. But he’s taken it a step farther. For one, he’s comin’ at you from California which isn’t exactly a traditional hotbed for the game. Second, he’s comin’ at you following a knee injury that cost him his 2007 season season at Johns Hopkins. So what’s the point? The point is, Matt Drenan knows what it’s like to not only compete, but compete with the odds stacked against you. Challenges present themselves in various forms throughout any career, and Drenan’s shown that he’s got the spirit to knock down anything that stands in his way. And that’s the sorta spirit that puts lacrosse players in National Lacrosse League uniforms.

So he comes outta San Diego. So what? There have been a few to come out of the West Coast, and Drenan wasted little time proving that West Coast lacrosse fits right in with East Coast. He cracked the starting lineup at close defense as a freshman for coach Dave Pietramala and his 32 ground balls topped all close defenders.

He missed 2007 after a pre-season knee injury, but came back in 2008 as the primary long-stick middie for the Blue Jays in 2008 before returning to the close unit for 2009 and 2010. In 2009, he was second on the team with 46 ground balls and forced 13 turnovers, and the 21 ground balls this past spring was among the team leaders again.

You want fire in the belly? Drenan’s got plenty of it. You want a guy who will throw the lumber and actually gets excited to shut down? Drenan’s got that desire, too. He won an NCAA title at Hopkins, so he knows what it takes to win when that “second season” gets underway. And challenges? No sweat for Drenan. Not only has he battled through injury to restore his game to an elite level, he’s taking on challenges off the field as he trains for triathlons. If that’s not something to fire up the competitive juices, please tell us what is. No doubt about it, the kid from California has shown that not only can he play lacrosse, he can play it well when it comes to the next level.

Just one question, Mr. Drenan. What can you tell us about the latest incarnation of the Cardiff Kook? We kid, we kid. We don’t mean to imply that you had anything to do with the immobile “lacrosse player,” but maybe you can tell your future NLL teammates all about it.

Matt Drenan

Height: 6′2″
Weight: 215
Position: Defense
From: San Diego, California
College: Johns Hopkins

What’s your greatest asset that will help you in the NLL? I think my athleticism and physicality are two assets that will help me in the NLL. The indoor game seems to be a mix finesse and extremely physical play. I think the level of physicality I brought to the field in college may have a place in the NLL.
Any indoor lacrosse experience? None (unless 6th grade indoor lacrosse counts)
A few words to describe your game? Athletic, physical, aggressive, inspired.
What role or position can you see yourself playing for an NLL team? Defense.
Is there a current or former NLL baller you can compare your game to? Defensively I might compare my game to my former Hopkins teammates Greg and Stephen Peyser. They both bring an incredible level of energy, tenacity and intensity to their defensive game.
What accomplishment in college are you most proud of? I’m most proud of winning the 2007 national championship and being a 4-year starter during my time at Johns Hopkins – Defense: Freshman, Junior, Senior – LSM: Sophomore
Anything else to add? I’m training for am Olympic-length triathlon (.9-mile swim, 25-mile bike, 6.2-mile run) in September and for a half Ironman in April (1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, 13.1-mile run).

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