FOUR UCBLL PLAYERS SELECTED IN 2023 NLL ENTRY DRAFT

The Upstate Collegiate Box Lacrosse League (UCBLL) might have finished second at the National Collegiate Box Series (NCBS) National Championships, but the league finished first again at the National Lacrosse League (NLL) Entry Draft.

For the second straight year, UCBLL led the way with four players selected at the NLL Draft. In fact, three of the top four NCBS picks were from the UCBLL, starting with Kaleb Benedict, who was chosen in the first round (19th overall) by the Georgia Swarm. That was followed by the selection of Luke Pilcher (second round) and Jake Piseno (third round).

Benedict was 19 when he played in the UCBLL in 2021 and was part of a high-powered offense that included current Rochester Knighthawks forward Hunter Lemieux. Benedict scored 22 goals and added 16 assists in seven games. At the 2021 NCBS National Championship, he finished third on the team with 11 points (5+6) as the Armory finished second. He was a young star in a league composed of mainly American-born collegiate field players.

"It was fun," he said. "It was a different competitive level playing with college kids."

Former NLL defenseman Ron Cogan coached Benedict and was well aware of his potential.

"Kaleb was instrumental in our success in 2021," said Cogan. "In a year that saw so much talent land on one team, Kaleb really showed what he was all about. His IQ was through the roof already, and his teammates knew that; he truly made the players around him that much better."

"To possess an outside shot like Kaleb but still have the ability to go inside with the best of them is what separates the good and great players," he added. "I was very fortunate to be able to coach Kaleb, and I couldn't be prouder of him, to be honest. He has worked very hard to get to this point, and I wish him nothing but the best moving forward."

Benedict, who hails from Onondaga Nation, took his game to Junior "A" lacrosse and had a breakout summer with the Orangeville Northmen in 2023, collecting 40 goals and 55 assists in 26 games. The Northmen advanced all the way to the Ontario Junior Lacrosse League Finals. The next time he is on the floor, he will have a chance to play with the Thompson brothers: Jeremy, Lyle and Miles.

"They are my cousins, so that's why it's an unbelievable feeling," said Benedict. "I can't wait to get started."

One of his 2021 Armory teammates, Luke Pilcher, was selected in the second round (24th overall) by the Las Vegas Desert Dogs. Pilcher played parts of two seasons in the UCBLL (2021-22) with the Armory and was named First Team All-NCBS in 2021.

The Oakville, Ontario, native was also named the Armory's Duane "Dewey" Jacobs Most Valuable Player. A veteran of box lacrosse, the forward was a force that season with the league's top team. In eight games, he led the league in goals (25), assists (28) and points (53).

Pilcher, who won back-to-back Division III national titles at RIT, broke into the UCBLL in 2021 when COVID-19 had shut down most other leagues. It was an opportunity to keep playing box and help a new league flourish in its inaugural season.

"It was great. It was the first year (of the UCBLL), and you had a mix of box and field players," said Pilcher. "Everybody had so much fun learning new things from indoor and outdoor players. It was a great opportunity for new growth within America."

Jake Piseno was the third player drafted from the UCBLL, going to the Rochester Knighthawks in the third round with the 35th overall selection. He joined the Hawkeyes at the end of the regular season after earning All-World and Best Defender honors at the World Lacrosse Championship in San Diego this June.

The Haudenosaunee standout helped the Hawkeyes repeat as Mearns Cup champions. He also made an impression at the NCBS event, earning First Team All-Star honors for the second-place Hawkeyes. The University at Albany senior credited his stint with the Rochester team for improving his draft stock and getting the call he has been waiting for since he started playing lacrosse.

"I was on the edge of my seat come pick 27," he said. "I knew just from talking to people and coaches that the late second round was where I was projected. After seeing my best friend and current teammate Graydon Hogg get picked up by Rochester, it was an unreal feeling getting the call from (Knighthawks GM) Dan Carey and knowing I have the opportunity to continue playing with him."

"My family and friends were all around me for the call," he added. "It was a surreal moment because this is what I've been wanting my whole life, and to hear my name called was a blessing. I can't wait to work harder than ever to hopefully step on the floor next season."

The Buffalo Bandits got a gritty goal scorer in fourth-round pick Kellen Pulera. He played two seasons of Junior "B" lacrosse before joining the UCBLL in the summer of 2022. In his career, he has 79 points in two seasons.

This summer, he posted 18 goals and 14 assists for 32 points for the second-place Rapids. He also appeared in the NCBS tourney with the UCBLL champion Hawkeyes, collecting six goals and three assists in five games. After an impressive showing at Nationals, Pulera became the fourth UCBLL player selected by the Bandits in two seasons.

"It was definitely a good feeling when your hometown team drafts you," said the Buffalo, NY, native. "I had season tickets growing up. It's a dream come true. It meant everything playing in the UCBLL. It helped me develop skills and a feel for the game."