Who is Alex Woodall and how did he become a top lacrosse player. What achievements has he earned throughout his collegiate career. How has Alex Woodall impacted the game of lacrosse as a faceoff specialist.
Alex Woodall’s Rise to Lacrosse Stardom
Alex Woodall has emerged as one of the most dominant faceoff specialists in college lacrosse. His journey to the top of the sport began at St. Mary’s High School, where he honed his skills under coach Ben Rubeor. Woodall’s talent was evident early on, setting the stage for an impressive collegiate career.
After graduating from high school, Woodall’s path took an interesting turn. He spent his freshman year at High Point University in North Carolina, where he quickly made an impact on the field. During his single season with the High Point Panthers, Woodall showcased his potential:
- Played in 14 games, starting 7
- Won 112 out of 212 faceoffs (52.8% success rate)
- Led the team with 51 groundballs
- Scored a goal against No. 4 ranked Maryland
- Achieved a career-best 69.6% faceoff win rate against Bellarmine (16 of 23)
These impressive statistics laid the foundation for Woodall’s future success and caught the attention of other programs. Following his freshman year, Woodall made the decision to transfer to Towson University, where he would truly come into his own as a lacrosse player.
Towson Tigers: Where Alex Woodall Became a Lacrosse Legend
Upon joining the Towson Tigers, Alex Woodall’s career trajectory skyrocketed. His sophomore season in 2017 was a breakout year that put him on the national radar. Woodall’s performances earned him numerous accolades:
- First Team All-Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) honors
- CAA All-Tournament Team selection
- USILA All-America Honorable Mention
- Two-time CAA Player of the Week (February 28 and March 13)
- Epoch/US Lacrosse Player of the Week (March 13)
- SoMuchSports Baltimore Player of the Week (March 14)
Woodall’s statistics for the 2017 season were equally impressive:
- Appeared in all 17 games as the primary faceoff specialist
- Won 188 of 319 faceoffs (58.9% success rate)
- Led the team with 90 ground balls
- Recorded a career-high 13 ground balls against Georgetown
- Contributed offensively with 5 goals and 2 assists
His performance was a key factor in Towson’s success, helping the team rank 9th nationally in faceoff winning percentage (58.7%). Individually, Woodall ranked 11th in the country for faceoff winning percentage.
Continuing Excellence: Alex Woodall’s Junior and Senior Seasons
Woodall’s junior year in 2018 saw him build upon his previous success. He earned several preseason honors, including:
- Preseason All-CAA Team selection
- Preseason Inside Lacrosse Media All-America Honorable Mention
Throughout the season, Woodall continued to dominate at the faceoff X:
- Won 168 of 276 faceoffs (60.9% success rate)
- Collected 101 ground balls
- Won at least 20 faceoffs in two games
- Earned CAA Player of the Week honors twice (February 20 and April 23)
- Named to the USILA Team of the Week (April 24)
His performance in the 2018 CAA Tournament was particularly noteworthy, as he won 30 of 34 faceoffs, earning All-Tournament honors.
Woodall’s senior season in 2019 was the culmination of his collegiate career, solidifying his status as one of the best faceoff specialists in the nation. His achievements included:
- USILA Second Team All-American
- Second-Team Inside Lacrosse Media All-American
- All-ECAC First Team
- First Team All-CAA
- Three-time CAA Player of the Week (February 12, March 5, April 8)
- Tewaaraton Trophy Nominee (Top 25)
- Two-Time USILA Division I Team of the Week selection (February 11, April 9)
Statistically, Woodall’s senior year was his most impressive:
- Won 227 faceoffs (second-most for a single season in school history)
- 74.2% faceoff success rate (second nationally and in school history)
- Set CAA record for single-season faceoff winning percentage
- Became Towson’s all-time faceoff wins leader with 583 career wins
- Won 20 or more draws in six games
- Picked up 17 ground balls in two separate games against ranked opponents
Alex Woodall’s Impact on Lacrosse Strategy
How has Alex Woodall’s dominance at the faceoff X influenced lacrosse strategy? His ability to consistently win possessions for his team has forced opponents to adapt their game plans. Coaches now must consider specialized faceoff strategies when facing a player of Woodall’s caliber.
The importance of faceoff specialists has grown in recent years, and Woodall’s success has further emphasized this trend. His ability to not only win faceoffs but also contribute offensively (8 points on 2 goals and 6 assists in his senior year) showcases the evolving role of faceoff specialists in modern lacrosse.
From College Star to Professional Prospect
Alex Woodall’s exceptional college career caught the attention of professional lacrosse leagues. In 2019, he achieved a remarkable feat by being selected in two different professional drafts:
- First overall pick in the 2019 Major League Lacrosse (MLL) Collegiate Draft by the Ohio Machine
- Fourth overall pick in the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) College Draft by the Whipsnakes LC
These draft selections underscore Woodall’s potential impact at the professional level. His ability to dominate faceoffs and contribute in other aspects of the game makes him a valuable asset to any team.
The Art of the Faceoff: Alex Woodall’s Technique
What makes Alex Woodall such an effective faceoff specialist? His technique combines several key elements:
- Quick hands: Woodall’s ability to clamp down on the ball and direct it to his teammates is lightning-fast.
- Lower body strength: A strong base allows him to maintain leverage against opponents.
- Mental preparation: Woodall studies his opponents and adapts his approach accordingly.
- Versatility: He can win faceoffs to himself or direct the ball to his wings, keeping opponents guessing.
- Ground ball skills: Woodall excels at securing loose balls, often turning faceoffs into immediate possessions.
His success rate of 74.2% in his senior year demonstrates the effectiveness of his technique. Aspiring faceoff specialists often study Woodall’s approach to improve their own skills.
Alex Woodall’s Legacy in College Lacrosse
As Alex Woodall transitions to the professional ranks, his impact on college lacrosse remains significant. He leaves behind a legacy that includes:
- Towson’s all-time leader in faceoff wins (583)
- CAA record holder for single-season faceoff winning percentage
- Multiple All-American honors
- Numerous conference and national player of the week awards
Beyond the statistics and accolades, Woodall’s career has inspired a new generation of faceoff specialists. His success has highlighted the importance of the position and motivated young players to specialize in this crucial aspect of the game.
Coaches and analysts often point to Woodall as an example of how a dominant faceoff specialist can change the complexion of a game. His ability to give his team extra possessions and control the pace of play has been a game-changer in many contests.
The Future of Faceoffs in Lacrosse
How will Alex Woodall’s success influence the future of faceoffs in lacrosse? It’s likely that we’ll see:
- Increased specialization: More players focusing exclusively on faceoff techniques from an early age
- Advanced training methods: Development of new drills and exercises specifically designed for faceoff specialists
- Rule adaptations: Potential changes to faceoff rules to maintain competitive balance
- Strategic evolution: Teams placing even greater emphasis on winning the faceoff battle
As the game continues to evolve, players like Alex Woodall serve as benchmarks for excellence in their specialized roles. Future faceoff specialists will undoubtedly study his technique and career as they strive to make their mark on the sport.
From College to the Pros: Alex Woodall’s Next Chapter
With his college career behind him, Alex Woodall now faces the challenge of translating his success to the professional level. The transition from college to professional lacrosse presents several challenges:
- Increased competition: Facing other top faceoff specialists on a regular basis
- Physical demands: Adapting to the faster pace and greater physicality of the pro game
- Mental adjustments: Dealing with the pressure of performing as a high draft pick
- Tactical changes: Learning new team systems and adapting to different coaching styles
Despite these challenges, Woodall’s track record suggests he has the tools to succeed at the highest level. His combination of physical skills, mental toughness, and strategic understanding of the game should serve him well as he begins his professional career.
Potential Impact in Professional Lacrosse
What kind of impact can we expect from Alex Woodall in professional lacrosse? Based on his college performance, he has the potential to:
- Become a game-changing faceoff specialist for his team
- Contribute to offensive possessions with his ability to win faceoffs cleanly
- Develop into a leader on and off the field
- Help raise the profile of faceoff specialists in professional lacrosse
As Woodall begins his professional journey, lacrosse fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how his skills translate to the next level. His success could pave the way for other faceoff specialists to be valued more highly in professional drafts and team-building strategies.
The Broader Impact of Alex Woodall’s Career
Alex Woodall’s rise to prominence as a faceoff specialist has implications beyond his individual success. His career highlights several important trends in modern lacrosse:
- Specialization: The increasing importance of role-specific skills in lacrosse
- Data-driven strategy: The use of statistics to quantify a player’s impact on the game
- Positional evolution: The changing perception of faceoff specialists from purely tactical players to potential offensive contributors
- Player development: The effectiveness of focused training and coaching in maximizing a player’s potential
Woodall’s success story serves as a case study for these trends, providing valuable insights for players, coaches, and team managers at all levels of the sport.
Inspiring the Next Generation
How might Alex Woodall’s career inspire young lacrosse players? His journey from high school standout to college star to professional prospect demonstrates the opportunities available to those who excel in specialized roles. Aspiring players can learn several lessons from Woodall’s career:
- The value of focusing on and perfecting a specific skill set
- The importance of continual improvement and adaptation
- The potential for success through hard work and dedication
- The impact that one player can have on a team’s overall performance
As more young players see the success and recognition that faceoff specialists like Woodall can achieve, we may see an increase in players choosing to specialize in this crucial aspect of the game.
Conclusion: Alex Woodall’s Lasting Legacy in Lacrosse
Alex Woodall’s journey from high school player to one of the most dominant faceoff specialists in college lacrosse history is a testament to his skill, dedication, and strategic understanding of the game. His record-breaking performances at Towson University have set new standards for faceoff excellence and highlighted the critical importance of this specialized position.
As Woodall transitions to professional lacrosse, his impact on the sport continues to resonate. He has not only raised the profile of faceoff specialists but also inspired a new generation of players to excel in this crucial role. His career serves as a blueprint for success through specialization and relentless improvement.
The legacy of Alex Woodall extends beyond his impressive statistics and accolades. He has contributed to the evolution of lacrosse strategy, forcing teams to adapt their approaches and place greater emphasis on the faceoff battle. His success has also sparked discussions about the value of specialists in team sports and the potential for players to make significant impacts through mastery of specific skills.
As the sport of lacrosse continues to grow and evolve, players like Alex Woodall will be remembered as pioneers who pushed the boundaries of what was possible on the field. His career serves as an inspiration to young players and a reminder of the countless ways in which individuals can excel and contribute to team success in lacrosse.
Whether Woodall goes on to achieve similar levels of success in professional lacrosse remains to be seen, but his collegiate career has already secured his place in the annals of the sport. As future generations of lacrosse players take to the field, many will undoubtedly look to Alex Woodall’s career as a model of excellence and a source of inspiration for what can be achieved through dedication, skill, and a willingness to specialize in a crucial aspect of the game.
Alex Woodall – Men’s Lacrosse
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2019 Season: First overall pick in 2019 MLL Collegiate Draft (Ohio Machine) … selected fourth overall in the PLL College Draft (Whipsnakes LC) … 2019 Co-Captain… USILA Second Team All-American .
.. Second-Team Inside Lacrosse Media All-American … All-ECAC First Team … First Team All-CAA Three-time CAA Player of the Week (Feb. 12, March 5, April 8) … Tewaaraton Trophy Nominee (Top 25) … Two-Time USILA Division I Team of the Week selection (Feb. 11, April 9) … won 227 faceoffs, the second-most for a single season in school history … won 74.2 percent of his faceoffs, finishing second nationally and in school history … set CAA record for single-season faceoff winning percentage … became program’s all-time faceoff wins leader against Hofstra (March 30) while finishing with 583 career wins … won 20 or more draws in six games as a senior … won double digit draws in all but one game this year after leaving the Delaware (April 20) game with an injury … picked up 17 ground balls on two separate occasions, once against No. 7 Johns Hopkins (Feb. 9) and again against No. 3 Cornell (March 10) … finished with eight points on two goals and six assists … had two helpers against Hopkins and Fairfield (April 6).
2018 Season: Preseason All-CAA Team … Preseason Inside Lacrosse Media All-America Honorable Mention … CAA Player of the Week (Feb. 20, April 23) … USILA Team of the Week (April 24) … Appeared in all 15 games as a junior … won 168 of his 276 faceoffs (.609) … had the second-best faceoff winning percentage in CAA games, winning 53 of his 88 draws (.616) … won at least 20 faceoffs on two occasions, going 21 of 31 against Mount St. Mary’s (Feb. 17) and 22-of-24 against Delaware (April 21) during the regular season … dominated the X during the 2018 CAA Tournament, winning 30 of his 24 chances, earning All-Tournament honors … collected 101 ground balls during the season, including five games in double figures … scored on goal, striking in the 15-13 win over Mount St. Mary’s in the home opener.
2017 Season: Named the CAA Player of the Week on Feb. 28 and March 13 … selected as the Epoch/US Lacrosse Player of the Week on March 13 … honored as the SoMuchSports Baltimore Player of the Week on March 14 .
.. picked up First Team All-CAA accolades … member of the CAA All-Tournament Team … earned USILA All-America Honorable Mention plaudits … appeared in all 17 games while serving as the Tigers’ primary faceoff specialist … won 188 of 319 draws this season (.589) … has posted double-digit faceoff wins in 10 games … won a career-best 19-of-24 faceoffs at Georgetown (Feb. 25) … leads the team with 90 ground balls … had a career-high 13 ground balls at Georgetown (Feb. 25) … posted 10 ground balls in the win over Hofstra (Apr. 29) … tallied seven points on five goals and two assists … had a pair of goals and an assist for three points in the win over Johns Hopkins (Mar. 11) … key reason the Tigers ranked ninth in the nation for faceoff winning percentage (.587) … ranked 11th overall for faceoff winning percentage (.589) nationally.
At High Point: Played for one season (2016) at High Point University in North Carolina … played in 14 games as a faceoff specialist, making seven starts … won 112 of his 212 total draws (.
528) … grabbed a team-high 51 groundballs … scored one goal at No. 4 Maryland … won a career-best 16 of 23 faceoffs against Bellarmine (.700).
High School: Faced off at St. Mary’s High School for coach Ben Rubeor … named both first team USA Today and first team MIAA … won MIAA A championship MVP … also played football and wrestled.
Personal: Son of parents John and Aracelly Woodall … has a sister, Brittany … hobbies include boating and spending time with family and friends … favorite professional team is the Baltimore Ravens … favorite professional athlete is two-time Super Bowl champion Ray Lewis … plans on majoring in communications at Towson.
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Historical Player Information
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41
2017Sophomore
Midfield
6’1″
225 lbs
41
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3
2018Junior
Midfield
6’0″
227 lbs
3
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3
2019Senior
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6’0″
215 lbs
3
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Alex Woodall – 2016 – Men’s Lacrosse
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2016: Played in 14 contests with seven starts at the face-off ‘X’ .
.. paced the team in ground balls (51) and face-off wins (112) … went 112-212 (.528) on face-offs … made his collegiate debut at Duke (2/12) … notched his first collegiate goal and picked up four ground balls against Maryland (2/20) … tallied seven ground balls in the win at Virginia including winning the crucial overtime face-off (2/23) … went 9-10 with eight ground balls in the win over Providence (3/12) … won 8 of 13 face-off attempts against Richmond (3/27) … went 16-23 on the face-off dot while grabbing six ground balls against Bellarmine (4/9).
Prep: Played four seasons of lacrosse for Ben Rubeor at St. Mary’s High School … racked up first team all-conference honors in ’13, ’14, ’15 … named the Baltimore Sun All-Metro Player of the Year while leading his team to a MIAA championship in 2015 … was a member of the football team (three years) and wrestling team (two years).
Personal: Son of John and Aracelly Woodall … has one older sister: Brittany (24) … intends to major in Business.
