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Swarm sign Marietta native Scott Ratliff to 2-year deal

Scott Ratliff. Photo Credit: Brett Davis/Pretty Instant

(August 4, 2016) – The Georgia Swarm today announced that the team has signed Marietta, Ga. native Scott Ratliff to a two-year contract. The Swarm also re-signed a pair of young defensemen to one-year deals: Michael Seidel and Sean Young.

Ratliff, 25, is in the midst of his fourth season in the MLL as a long-stick midfielder and currently plays for the Atlanta Blaze, where he was named an All-Star in July. In 13 games with the Blaze this season, the 6-foot, 190-pounder has totaled 20 points (13G, 7A), 66 ground balls and 14 caused turnovers. Prior to his time with Atlanta, Ratliff spent three seasons with the Boston Cannons where he was teammates with Swarm defenseman Mitch Belisle.

“Scott is a player who has skills in the field game that we think can translate to the indoor game,” Swarm head coach Ed Comeau said. “He comes highly recommended by a lot of MLL players who play in the NLL. We’re excited to see what he can do in the indoor game and have him compete for a spot on the Swarm roster.”

“For me it’s about finding that next challenge in my career and continuing to grow as an athlete and a lacrosse player,” Ratliff said. “The indoor game has always been something that has interested me and with the team obviously being here at home where I live, there’s no better opportunity to try and learn it, challenge myself, and grow as a player.”

During his collegiate days at Loyola University, Ratliff also spent time with another Swarm defenseman, Reid Acton, and finished his four-year career as one of the Greyhounds’ top long-stick midfielders in program history. Over his career, Ratliff was a two-time All-American, two-time team captain and helped Loyola capture the 2012 NCAA DI National Championship. Ratliff finished his career in 2013 with a school record (for a long pole) 30 goals, 14 assists and 44 points in 58 games.

“Both Reid and Mitch have encouraged me to pursue this and take the next steps,” Ratliff said. “On top of that, playing with guys like Randy Staats, Shayne Jackson and more guys this season with the Blaze, just confirmed that this was something that I really wanted to do. Those guys talked about the quality of the organization and of the league and the opportunity that’s there. I know it’s a great locker room that we have here in Georgia so I’m excited to try and be a part of it.”

With this being his first NLL experience, Ratliff said he compares his skillset in the indoor game to another Swarm player, Joel White. Ratliff says he’s always admired the way White plays, and has modeled some of his game after the Syracuse product after watching him early on in college.

“When I was a freshman at Loyola, I can remember watching him and the way he played the game and emulating a lot of things he does and I think that’s carried on throughout my career,” Ratliff explained. “We’re similar players in the outdoor game so naturally he’s a guy that I’d look to try and emulate myself after in the indoor game. I think I’m a guy who can bring a toughness and ability to play defense but also pick up the ball and run and create offense in transition.”

Ratliff currently lives in the metro Atlanta area and is the President of LB3 Lacrosse, where he oversees youth lacrosse programming for hundreds of kids. The Georgia native grew up in Marietta and attended Walton High School, where he was an All-American defender during his senior season in 2009.

“The biggest goal in my role with LB3 is to grow the sport of lacrosse, both field and box, and to help kids earn opportunities to play at the next level,” Ratliff said.

Homepage Photo Credit: Brett Davis/Pretty Instant


Michael Seidel #47. Photo Credit: Josh Schaefer/GetMyPhoto.ca

Seidel, 25, is a 6-foot-6, 255-pound defenseman who appeared in one contest with the Swarm during his rookie season in 2016. Georgia selected the Robert Morris University product in the third round (No. 29 overall) of the 2015 NLL Draft.

Young, 24, spent the 2016 season on the Swarm’s practice squad after joining the team as free agent in training camp. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound transition player spent three seasons at Syracuse University (2013-15) and was named a USILA Honorable Mention All-American his senior season.

“Both Michael and Sean have been playing against a lot of NLL players this summer, which has given them some more experience,” Comeau said. “We’re looking to improve in all areas of the floor, specifically on the defensive end and we think we can add some size and physicality back there. We’re hoping that these two guys can come in and help us with that.”

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