TORONTO - Former University of Denver men's lacrosse player Mark Matthews (Oshawa, Ontario) was picked as the No. 1 overall pick by the Edmonton Rush in Monday's National Lacrosse League Entry Draft at the Toronto Westin Harbour Castle. Alex Demopoulos (Canton, Conn.) was also picked in tonight's draft in the sixth round as the No. 53 pick.

"Marks selection as the first player in the NLL Draft is a continuation of one of the finest all-around careers in lacrosse history," said head coach Bill Tierney. "In his collegiate years he led the University of Denver Pioneers to unprecedented heights and was a strong candidate for Rookie of the Year in his first season in the MLL with the Denver Outlaws. I have no doubt that Mark will experience similar success in the NLL. He is a very dynamic player whose amazing stick skills will create great excitement for the Edmonton fans."

Matthews' selection in the NLL draft comes after a summer in which he played for the Denver Outlaws, after being selected by the local Major League Lacrosse team in the first round of the 2012 MLL College Draft. In nine regular season games for the Outlaws, Matthews netted 19 goals, including four in his debut against Chesapeake. Matthews also added two assists in his debut, and was named the MLL Rookie of the Week. In two playoff games with the Outlaws, Matthews scored three goals and assisted five others.

In his DU career, Matthews played 65 games, tallying 216 points on 155 goals and 61 assists. His 216 points and 155 goals are both program records. Matthews finished his career with 30 hat tricks, including 10 in his senior year. He finished his career on a 45-game point scoring streak, marking the fifth-longest streak in the nation. Matthews was also a two-time USILA Second Team All-America selection (2011 and 2012).

Matthews is the first Pioneer to be selected with the No. 1 overall pick in a draft in program history. The Edmonton Rush went 6-10 last season, finishing fourth in the NLL West Division.

Demopoulos finished his career at DU as the all-time record holder with 82 career assists and third all-time in Denver history with 176 career points.

Visit DenverPioneers.com for complete coverage of all 17 of DU's NCAA Division I sports.

-EXPERIENCE DENVER ATHLETICS-

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