PHILADELPHIA (Sept. 26) – Wheeling Jesuit University men's lacrosse alums Dereck Downs (Toronto, Ontario/Hill Academy) and Matt Lee (Toronto, Ontario/Everest Academy) were both selected by the New England Black Wolves in the National Lacrosse League (NLL) Entry Draft Tuesday night at the Xfinity Live! Entertainment Complex.
 
Downs was selected with the 59^thoverall pick in the fifth round by New England, while Lee was later made the 70^thoverall pick in the sixth round by the Black Wolves.

"We are incredibly proud of Dereck and Matt for being selected into the National Lacrosse League," said Wheeling Jesuit Men's Lacrosse Head Coach Landon DelPrince. "Dereck and Matt are two of the most talented players to ever come through our program, and we are very excited for the opportunity they have to continue their lacrosse careers in New England. We hope that their accomplishments on the field will inspire current and future Cardinals to believe in themselves and to follow their dreams. We are thankful that Dereck and Matt will be adding to Wheeling Jesuit University's legacy of sending players to the NLL. Congratulations to the both of them and Go Black Wolves!"
 
Downs, a 2018 All-Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) First Team attack, led the team and ranked third in the league with 45 goals last season. He posted 3.93 points per game to slot fourth in the G-MAC and also led the Cardinals with 14 assists.
 
Lee, who earned a Second-Team All-G-MAC nod at midfielder this past spring, finished 2018 ranked third on the team with 23 goals and 32 points.
 
The New England Black Wolves are a professional box lacrosse team based in Uncasville, Connecticut. They are members of the NLL and began play in the winter of 2014–2015 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville. The Black Wolves went 9-9 last season and lost in the Eastern Division Semifinal.
 
About the National Lacrosse League
 
The National Lacrosse League (NLL) is North America's premier professional indoor lacrosse league. Founded in 1986, the NLL ranks third in average attendance for pro indoor sports worldwide, behind only the NHL and NBA. The league is comprised of 12 franchises across the United States and Canada: Buffalo Bandits, Calgary Roughnecks, Colorado Mammoth, Georgia Swarm, New England Black Wolves, Philadelphia Wings, Rochester Knighthawks, San Diego Seals, Saskatchewan Rush, Toronto Rock, Vancouver Warriors and Halifax. The 2018-19 NLL season, the League's 33rd year, begins December 1st. 
 
For more information, visit NLL.com.