Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Alum Justin Sussman Taken in 4th Round of MLL Draft
12/19/2003 7:00:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse
Dec. 19, 2003
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Justin Sussman, a 2003 Bucknell graduate and the reigning Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year, was selected in the fourth round of the Major League Lacrosse supplemental draft by the Baltimore Bayhawks, the team announced Tuesday.
An honorable mention All-America goalie last season, Sussman enjoyed perhaps his best season in Orange and Blue as a senior in 2003. He ranked in the top two in the nation in save percentage virtually all season and finished with a stellar .664 mark, the sixth-best single season percentage in school history and just .003 behind the national leader. He led the Patriot League in save percentage, goals-against average (6.88), saves per game (12.92) and wins (9), while holding the opposition to four goals or less in six of his starts.
The winner of the Bison Club Award, presented to a member of the Bucknell senior class who best exemplifies the winning spirit of Bison Athletics, Sussman's 30 career victories are the most ever by a Bison goalie. His 572 career saves rank third all-time, as does his .628 lifetime save percentage.
Sussman became the first player to repeat as Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year, and he was a First Team All-Patriot League pick in 2003. He represented Bucknell in the North-South all-star game last June.
"Justin is now receiving the kind of personal attention that his abilities have warranted," said Bucknell head coach Sid Jamieson. "We are extremely happy for him because we know what kind of inner burning desire that he always has to take his game to the next level."
A native of Towson, Md., Sussman joins a Bayhawks franchise that has won the National Division three straight years and captured the MLL title in 2002. Last season they lost to Long Island 15-14 in overtime in the MLL championship game.
Baltimore opens its 2004 season on May 22 at Rochester. The Bayhawks are led by lacrosse legend Gary Gait, who serves as player-coach. Sussman is one of three goalies on the roster, joining former Johns Hopkins netminder Rob Scherr and Towson alum John Horrigan, who was picked one spot behind Sussman in the supplemental draft.
Bucknell finished the 2003 campaign with a 9-4 record (5-1 PL) and tied with Army for the Patriot League regular season title. It was Bucknell's fourth straight PL title and fifth overall.
