ROCHESTER, NY – Three former members of the RIT men's lacrosse team were selected in the 2015 National Lacrosse League Entry Draft on Monday, Sept. 28. Midfielder Brad Gillies (Oakville, Ontario/St. Thomas Aquinas) was selected ninth overall by the Rochester Knighthawks. Derek Searle (Dundas, Ontario/Highland Secondary) was selected 14th overall by the Knighthawks and Kyle Aquin (Hamilton, Ontario/St. Jean De Brebeuf) was selected 34th overall by the Toronto. Rock.
 
 Gillies excelled for RIT on both the defensive and offensive ends of the field in 2015. The senior midfielder played in all 22 games, finishing sixth on the team in scoring with 53 points on 11 goals and a team-best 42 assists. He finished second on the team with 87 ground balls and was tied for fifth with 14 caused turnovers. Gillies tallied season-high six points versus Rensselaer on April 4 and Cortland on March 11. He tallied 13 multiple-point games and had seven points, nine ground balls and three caused turnovers in two Liberty League Tournament contests. In four NCAA Tournament games, Gillies tallied seven points on two goals and five assists and 12 ground balls.

"We are excited for Brad and his future with the Knighthawks," said Coon. "I am proud of him not only as his former coach, but also as a former Knighthawks and a fan. He has worked very hard to get stronger and faster and I believe that has a lot to do with him being selected in the first round."

Searle was on the RIT roster in 2013, but did not see any action due to injury. He played four seasons of Junior "A" and played a season at the Major Series Lacrosse level with the Kitchener-Waterloo Kodiaks. The 22-year-old defenseman was a first team all-star selection in Junior "A" in 2013 and 2014. He was named the 2013 winner of the Gus McCauley award as a top defensive player.

Aquin played in all 22 games in 2015, finishing fourth on the team in scoring with 60 points on 44 goals and 16 assists. Aquin, a three-year captain and three-time All-American, finished his career seventh in scoring with 224 points. He is second all time in program history with 176 career goals and was also a 2015 USILA Scholar All-American.  Aquin was a first team All-American in 2014 and a second team selection in 2013. He was the Liberty League Offensive Player of the Year and the NCAA Midfielder of the Year in 2014.

"Kyle displayed maturity and leadership on and off the field when he played for us," said RIT head coach Jake Coon. "He will be a tremendous asset on the Toronto roster."


RIT finished the 2015 season with a 21-1 record, advancing to the NCAA Semifinals for the fourth time in five years. The Tigers ended the season with school records for 21 wins, 382 goals scored, and 573 points.  Aquin and Gillies were part of a senior class that went 76-8 in four seasons. The 76 wins are a school record for most victories over a four-year period.