March 9, 2007

ST. LOUIS - Saint Louis senior Mo Benne (Ellisville, Mo.) was selected by the Chicago Storm in the second round (20th overall) of Thursday's Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) amateur draft. He is the third Billiken this year to be drafted into the professional ranks, joining John DiRaimondo (MLS and USL-1) and Ryan Wileman (USL-1) as former Billikens who will continue their playing careers at the professional level.

A 6-foot-1 defender, Benne played in 61 games throughout his four-year Billiken career. He notched four career assists from his defensive slot. Benne started every game in the backfield for SLU's 2006 squad that reached the NCAA Tournament second round, finishing with a 13-5-2 record and a regular-season Atlantic 10 Conference title.

"In Mo Benne, we get a big physical rugged defender that has outstanding speed and quickness," Storm head coach Steve Morris said. "We hope he is a defender we can count on for years to come."

"I am excited for Mo to have been drafted by Chicago of the MISL," Billikens head coach Dan Donigan said. "He has great physical tools - speed, power and strength - to help him transition from the outdoor game to indoor soccer. I am hopeful that Mo enjoys a successful professional career."

Printer-friendly format	Email this article