via UT press release   TAMPA, Fla. — The University of Tampa senior midfielder, Alex Patton has been chosen for the 23-man roster of the Puerto Rican National Lacrosse Team, which will compete at the 2018 Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) Men’s Lacrosse World Championship in Netanya, Israel. This will be Puerto Rico’s first appearance at a FIL World Championship event. Patton is the only player from the Sunshine State Conference represented on the 23-man roster. (Author’s Note: Actually, St. Leo also has a representative, which we will also post later today!  And FAU’s Club Team has a choice too!) A little over 14 months since Puerto Rico Lacrosse was awarded membership into the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL), the organization has been working non-stop to identify qualified players/members to represent its Men’s National Team. Those efforts resulted in the identification of 80 eligible players who now represent the organization. Following a series of player assessment camps, scrimmages and tournament play, the top 40 players were invited to compete at a two-day tryout this fall. The tryout, under the direction of the Men’s National Team coaching staff, led to the identification of a 30-man practice team (23 man roster and 7 alternates) who will stay together through the end of May. The team make-up includes a number of young players. They will be supported by a core group of players with professional experience, Ricky Pages (Boston), Devin Cruz (Ohio) and Lance Yapor (Ohio). According to Jeff Ramos, Head Coach of the Men’s National Team “The selection process was more difficult than I expected. I could not have been more pleased with the effort of all our players.” Addressing the selection of Puerto Rico’s First Men’s National Team, Ramos said “We had two goals in mind. First was to select a team we believe will be competitive at the World Championships. The second and just as important, was to establish a base group of young players we could build future National Teams around. Getting our younger players valuable international experience is key to achieving that long-term goal. The team will regroup after the NCAA lacrosse season for a couple of scrimmages, tournament play and a final team camp in late June prior to departing for Israel and the World Championships.