Hempstead, NY – It didn't take long for Hofstra Men's Lacrosse alumnus Josh Byrne to make his presence known in Major League Lacrosse this season.

After signing with the Chesapeake Bayhawks last Thursday, Byrne, the 2017 USILA All-America third team selection and Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year, made his professional debut against the Rochester Rattlers Saturday night and scored seven goals for the Bayhawks in Chesapeake's 17-16 overtime loss. His play earned him MLL Rookie of the Week honors.

Byrne, who was selected by Chesapeake with the 19th pick overall in the 2017 MLL Collegiate Draft, sparked a comeback for the Bayhawks after a 21-minute scoreless drought by scoring his first goal on the man-advantage.

The attackman from New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada, earned numerous awards in 2017 highlighted by a USILA Division I All-America third team selection and an Inside Lacrosse Division I Media All-America honorable mention. He was also selected to the All-ECAC first team.

In addition to the CAA Player of the Year Award honors, Byrne also earned All-CAA first team accolades for the second consecutive season after leading Hofstra and the CAA in goals (41), assists (25) and points (66) while playing in 14 games. Hofstra finished the season with an 11-3 record and ranked 16th in the country. Nationally, he ranked seventh in goals per game, 11th in points per game and 21st in assists per game.

Byrne posted 10 multi-goal games in 2017, including eight contests with three goals or more. He picked up 23 ground balls and had two game-winning goals. He also earned CAA Player of the Week honors three times this season.

In two years with the Pride, Byrne accumulated 71 goals and 40 assists for 111 points in 29 games. He also ended his collegiate career on a 19-game point scoring streak.