“This year, he seems really fresh: his legs seem strong, and his stamina is much greater so that he’s been able to run harder and longer,” Rochester Head Coach B.J. O’Hara said. “When he gets out there longer, he just makes more things happen.”
Brodie Merrill was always good; this year, he has turned it up a notch. He has led the hottest team in Major League Lacrosse to a tie for first place in the Eastern Conference. His quest to success has been unorthodox to say the least. Playing at home in Canada, he learned how to play the box game. He has harnessed those skills and it has translated into field success in the MLL.
Merrill, who resides in Orangeville, Ontario, grew up playing the box (indoor) game. Many agree that playing box lacrosse sets one up for success in the field game; Merrill is certainly proving that. As he said, all he needed was playing time to adjust to the field game. “Growing up in Canada, we didn’t have the opportunity to play much field lacrosse. If we did, it usually looked like box lacrosse, but on the field. It was just spending the time to learn the game and learn the rules.”
Merrill committed to play at Georgetown out of Salisbury School in Connecticut. Following two strong seasons, he broke out as a junior, picking up 90 groundballs and being named first team All-American. He continued to improve in 2005, recording 104 groundballs and eight points (4g, 4a). He was rewarded by being named All-American, ECAC Defensive Player of the Year, and Division I Defensive Player of the Year.
In 2006, Merrill got the opportunity that most athletes only dream of. He played for his country at the World Lacrosse Championships in London, Ontario. Playing in front of his home fans, the team marched to the Championship, defeating the United States, 15-10, in the Finals. “It was a special experience,” Merrill said. “It was really neat because it was a great group of guys. We gelled in a quick period of time; we had great team chemistry. For a lot of us growing up playing each other, it was cool to be together on one team.”
“We really did believe that we were going to win,” Merrill continued. “It’s one thing to say it, but it’s another thing to just truly believe it. Everything felt right. Being back in Canada and having the support of our home fans [was amazing]. It seemed like it was almost fate that we were going to win. The whole experience was almost surreal.”
After he finished his time at Georgetown, Merrill jumped into MLL action and didn’t miss a beat. In 2005, he was named MLL Rookie of the Year, recording four points and 52 groundballs. In 2006, he improved, averaging almost nine groundballs per contest (95 in 11 games).
This season, Merrill has continued to make his case as the top defender in the league, if not the top player. Through seven games, he has 63 groundballs; he has recorded double digit groundballs three times this season. He was named Defensive Player of the Week for his June 23 effort against Philadelphia; in that game, he scooped up ten groundballs and also added three points (1g, 2a). The 63 groundballs are tops in the league; most impressively, he leads the second place player, Geoff Snider, by six. Alex Smith, his Rochester teammate is third, 15 groundballs behind Merrill’s pace.
As Merrill said, he feels rejuvenated this year solely concentrating on the MLL. “I definitely feel a lot better this time around. Last year, I played a lot of lacrosse at the World Championships; I also played some box at home. I was spreading myself a little too thin. This year, I’m keeping it simple.”
Merrill was rewarded for his tremendous season with an All-Star appearance on July 8 in Boston. He helped lead the Eastern Conference to a 19-12 victory over the West. In the play of the game, Merrill picked up a groundball and took it coast to coast before firing it on cage. The crowd was awed when the long pole beat goaltender Mickey Jarboe from 15 yards away.
In the same game, Merrill had the pleasure of playing with some of the best defenders in the world: Kyle Sweeney, Nicky Polanco, and Chris Passavia. “I think we’re all pretty similar in a lot of ways. We’re aggressive, like to get involved in transition, get out and pressure the ball, and try to take the ball away. It was fun to play with three other guys who have that same mentality. Sweeney is somebody whom I looked up to and learned a lot from in my time at Georgetown. Those two other guys, Polanco and Passavia, are guys whom I have a lot of respect for. I continue to learn from their games as well; it was a lot of fun.”
Rochester enters the post All-Star schedule on a roll. After two consecutive losses, the Rattlers have come together when many teams would have fallen apart. Having numerous Canadians on the team who are familiar with each other adds to the cohesiveness. “We’re all pretty familiar with each other; we’ve played with each other over the years,” Merrill said. “It’s nice to have that familiarity. It’s a different brand of lacrosse; we’re a little unorthodox offensively, particularly with running off pick and rolls. We like to be a little bit more creative inside, which comes from our box background.”
When you’re such a great player, you have responsibilities as a role model. Jack Reid played against Merrill in college, and has reunited with him with the Rattlers. As Merrill said, the two have developed into arguably the best defensive tandem in the league. “I think we’ve got to be among them. Jack’s underrated; he’s emerging as one of the better defenders in the league. He’s another one of those guys, who really likes to get out and pressure the ball and get involved in transition. He can shut down an attackman, which allows me to slide up to midfield and play defensive midfield. Not just Jack, but our whole defensive core: Scott Ditzell, Soloman Bliss, Joe Smith, and Chris Schiller. It’s good chemistry back there and it’s fun to be around.”
When asked whether he thinks Merrill is the best defender in the league, O’Hara didn’t have any doubt. “Absolutely. He does so many things well: he’s a good one on one defender, he can put the ball on the ground, and he can run all day long. He’s unparalled when it comes to getting the ball off the ground and getting it up the field. He’s also a complete defensive player, he slides when needed and can anticipate passes. He does everything that you’d want a defenseman to do.”
Merrill leads by example; he lets his actions tell the story. “Brodie is a quiet guy, not a talker,” O’Hara continued. “We let him roam a lot, hawk, and feel the game out. He plays as a close defender and a long stick midfielder, depending on whom he’s playing. We give him a lot of freedom. If guys learn from him, it’s just by watching.”
With Rochester hosting the Championship Weekend, the Rattlers hope to be playing for the franchise’s first championship in front of their fans on August 26. Merrill knows his personal accomplishments don’t mean anything if the team isn’t succeeding. “We had a tough year last year. This year, we have great chemistry, a great group of guys. It’s fun when you’re winning. I feel rejuvenated personally, but as a team, we have a really positive atmosphere. The guys are having a lot of fun.”
(Justin Lafleur is a correspondent for Major League Lacrosse. This feature story was not subject to the approval of Major League Lacrosse.)
