Colin Achenbach's lacrosse career has come full circle.
The 24-year-old Burnsville native was signed by the Swarm of the National Lacrosse League as a free agent before the 2008 season, making him the team's first Minnesota-born player. Achenbach is, in fact, the 12-team indoor league's only Minnesotan.
"I feel pretty honored to be the first one out and playing professionally," Achenbach said. "I'm real excited about the opportunity and what's going to come out of it."
But it was a challenge for the 2002 graduate of Apple Valley High School to complete that circle. Lacrosse was not widespread in Minnesota when Achenbach was growing up. He began playing in eighth grade in a recreational league at the suggestion of his brother's hockey coach. He played his high school career with the RAVE, an Apple Valley team.
After beginning his collegiate career at Pace University, Achenbach played his final two years at C.W. Post Long Island University, where he was named All-America twice and led the nationally ranked team with 50 points in 11 games.
In his rookie season, Achenbach was on the New York Titans practice squad, then played with the Philadelphia Barrage of Major League Lacrosse, the outdoor league, over the summer. He's still adjusting to the NLL's indoor style of play.
"Outdoor to indoor is quite a transition; you use the same stick, but indoor is played on such a tighter space," Achenbach said. "A lot of it is just getting used to handling the ball and more contact."
The 6-2, 175-pound, righthanded shooter is known for his speed. He played as an attacker in college, but the Swarm plans to use Achenbach in a transition role to take advantage of his athleticism.
