TORONTO - Toronto Nationals Lacrosse look for their third straight win this Friday, May 29 when they host the Long Island Lizards. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. ET at BMO Field.
The Nationals (2-0) hosted their first-ever home game last Friday, dismantling the Chicago Machine 15-11 in front of 5,144 fans. Toronto sits atop the Major League Lacrosse (MLL) leader board as the only undefeated team after two weeks of play.
Toronto's attackman Merrick Thomson led the team with four points from three goals and one assist, being named the Bud Light game MVP for a second consecutive week. Thomson leads the Nationals charge with 10 goals and one assist on the season.
Named this week's MLL Defensive Player of the Week, Brodie Merrill is a dominating presence in Toronto's defensive line-up. This past Friday, Merrill was in charge of holding back Machine midfielder Matt Striebel, leaving him pointless for the first time since mid-season 2006. Merrill also led all defence with six ground balls.
The Nationals stay strong in goal thanks to the tag team of Rob Scherr to start and Brett Queener as the closer. This combination has worked well for the Nationals over the last two games, allowing them to stay fresh from the net out.
"Scherr and I are different styles of goalies," said Queener. "Shooters from the opposing teams get thrown off and they have to change their tactics."
Heading into Week 3, Queener can see the strengths and weaknesses of this team.
"The locker room has been a great place to be with some of the best players and people in the game of lacrosse. Every weekend is another chance to get closer with these guys; it's important to do as much together in the little amount of time that we have.
"As of yet, we've been unable to play a full 60 minutes, to improve we need to do that."
The Long Island Lizards (1-0) head to Toronto off a tough 14-13 overtime loss at the hands of the Washington Bayhawks. The Lizards were led by midfielder Chris Fiore, who netted three goals and Matt Danowski who had a five-point night (2 goals, 3 assists).
Long Island netminder Brian Dougherty, last week's MLL Defensive Player of the Week, is the League's goalie leader with a 10.46 goals against average, turning away 30 of his opponents 51 shots.
This is the first meeting for the two teams, and will not meet again until Week 10 of the season. Long Island and Toronto's next matchup is Saturday, July 18 at James M. Shuart Stadium at Hofstra University in Long Island, NY.
Friday's Toronto Nationals pre-game party begins in the North Patio, just inside Gate 1 at BMO field at 6:00 p.m. Fans will enjoy a beer garden and music, along with trivia, contests and prizes to be handed out. General public gates open at 6:30 p.m.
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