March 8, 2007

ORLANDO, Fla. - The Orlando Sharks of the Major Indoor Soccer League made former West Florida men's soccer All-American forward Felipe Lawall (Soracaba, Brazil) the 17th overall pick in the draft today. Lawall was chosen in the third round.

Lawall finished his career as one of 34 NSCAA/adidas NCAA Division II All-Americans. He will be remembered as one of the top offensive threats in West Florida history. Lawall finished fifth all-time with 32 goals and fourth all-time with 19 assists. Lawall's 43 points this season were the fourth-highest single-season total, and he set the school record with 15 assists. In four national tournament matches, Lawall tallied 11 points on four goals and three assists, including a five-point (two goals, one assist) performance in the national semifinals against Dowling.

He also earned NSCAA/adidas All-South Region, Daktronics All-South Region, All-Gulf South Conference, and All-Gulf South Conference Tournament honors. West Florida won the Gulf South Conference Championship last season, and reached the NCAA II National Semifinals.

"I believe that the success we had as a team this year helped me get picked," explained Lawall. "I hope my teammates will be in this same position in the future."

"Felipe caught our eye immediately," mentioned Orlando Assistant Coach and Manager of Team Operations, Jake Dancy. "He scored a ton of goals at UWF, and we value his experience playing the South American sport of futsol, which is similar to indoor soccer."

"We are extremely excited for Felipe," said UWF Men's Soccer Head Coach Bill Elliott. "This is a great day for Felipe and UWF Soccer. He is very deserving of this."

Orlando is one of two expansion teams in the MISL. The Sharks will join the Baltimore Blast, California Cougars, Chicago Storm, Detroit Ignition, Milwaukee Wave, Philadelphia Kixx and a yet to be named New Jersey team in the MISL's 2007-08 season.

The game is played with a six vs.six format, including a striker, two midfielders, two defenders, and a goalie. The game consists of four quarters. Goals are worth two points, and those scored from behind a three-point are worth just that. There are power plays, similar to hockey.

The Sharks will play 30 regulars season games, including 15 home games starting this fall. All Orlando home games will be played at Amway Arena.