Villanova University

June 1, 2006

Villanova, Pa. - Major League Lacrosse's (MLL) Philadelphia Barrage selected Villanova goalie Joe Canuso with its fifth pick in the 2006 draft yesterday.

Canuso was chosen 47th overall and was just the second goalie picked in an extremely offensive-minded draft. Out of 51 selections, 35 attackmen and midfielders were chosen compared to 12 defenders and four goalies.

The Moorestown, N.J. native joins attackman Xander Ritz (Maryland) and middies Matt Zash (Duke), Greg Peysor (Johns Hopkins) and Pete Cannon (Georgetown) as Philadelphia's 2006 draft picks.

"It worked out well, being drafted at home," noted Canuso. "I'm excited to be in the area and to play at Villanova with my old teammates, Chris [Kramer] and Matt [Lucas]. The Barrage coaches do a great job and have put together a great team. I'll be playing behind Matt Dougherty, one of the best goalies ever, so I'm going to learn as much as I can and hopefully get a chance to play."

Canuso finished his career at Villanova as the Wildcats' career leader in saves with 672. He started all 60 games in his four years at `Nova and had a win-loss record of 33-25. His career goals-against average (GAA) is 7.28 and his career save percentage is .601. He was a four-time All-Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) selection and was named both CAA Rookie of the Year (2003) and CAA Co-Player of the Year (2004). He led the country as a rookie with a 6.07 GAA and finished in the top ten in the country in both GAA and save percentage his first three years. Canuso started 2006 on the Tewaaraton Tophy Watch List and earned a spot on the North team in the North-South Senior All-Star game this year.

"I'm very excited and proud of Joe," said Villanova coach Randy Marks. "He worked hard during his time here and did everything anyone asked of him."