ATLANTA – Ronnie Fernando, a 2016 graduate of Concordia-Irvine, was selected by the Atlanta Blaze in the Major Leauge Lacrosse supplemental draft held on Jan. 17.

Fernando was taken in the 11th round as the 92nd overall selection.

He was a member of the practice squad for the Ohio Machine last year.

“This time around, knowing I could make an impact in the league, I was hoping to get drafted but was ready to try out again if I absolutely had to,” Fernando said. “I was surprised when I got flooded with texts, calls and emails telling me that I had been drafted by the Atlanta Blaze.”

The Lake Forest, Calif., product played a pair of seasons with Concordia-Irvine, with his best campaign coming in his senior year when he posted a 63.2 save percentage while leading the Eagles to the MCLA Division II national semifinals.

“My goal in all of this is to be that person who can break through the ice even more than the MCLA guys who came ahead of me,” Fernando said. “I want to shatter that ice, and allow more guys to get that opportunity.

“I also want to show them that the NCAA is not the only way. The NCAA is glamorized a bit, but these kids put in just as much work without the recognition. With the same hard work and dedication, they can take any route to get to the pinnacle of lacrosse success.”