Pair of Hawks Selected in Major League Lacrosse Draft

Martin is a College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture Senior


Carter Bender and Martin Bowes, a pair of seniors on the University of Hartford men’s lacrosse team, were drafted by the Rochester Rattlers and the Boston Cannons, respectively, in the 2012 Major League Lacrosse Collegiate Draft.

Bender went in the sixth round (43rd overall) and Bowes was chosen in the eighth round (64th overall). 

A USILA Division I All-American selection in 2011 and three-time All-America East pick, Bender returns for his final season after leading the Hawks in scoring last year with 35 goals and 53 points. A native of Caledon, Ontario, Bender took a dramatic leap up Hartford’s career record lists as he closed out his junior campaign ranked eighth in program history in points with 116.

Bender played a key role in helping fuel the Hawks’ run through the postseason in 2011. In both the semifinal round and the championship game of the America East Conference Tournament, he netted back-to-back hat tricks to lead the Hawks to their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance. He also adds New England Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association First Team honors to his list of accolades.

Bowes enjoyed a breakout year for the Hawks as a junior, compiling 33 goals, fourth-most on the team, on 20 goals and 13 assists. The Quincy, Mass. native recorded nine multi-goal games, converted on two man-up goals and collected 13 ground balls, a career-best.

In the America East title game, Bowes came up huge for the Hawks when he netted his first collegiate hat trick to lead the team to an 11-10 defeat of #13 Stony Brook.

Bender and Bowes join former teammate Tim Fallon in the MLL. Hartford’s only multiple All-American honoree, Fallon was chosen in the fourth round by the Rochester Rattlers in the league’s Supplemental Draft last December.

Hartford opens the 2012 season and starts the quest in defending its America East Tournament title at national runner-up Maryland on Sat., Mar. 18,

The Hawks return more than 88 percent of their goal production from last season. Joining Bender and Bowes as Hartford’s top returners for 2012 are America East First Team picks Aidan Genik, an attackman, and goalie Scott Bement.

Source: http://www.hartford.edu/daily/Articles.asp?MainID=11984&Category=5