Bayhawks Return Home on Independence Day to Face Long Island Lizards
Published on July 3, 2009 under Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Chesapeake Bayhawks News Release
Washington, DC - The Washington Bayhawks (2-5) of Major League Lacrosse (MLL) return home for a matchup with the Long Island Lizards (4-2) on Saturday, July 4th. The game time is slated for 6:15pm EST after the original time was changed to accommodate the holiday firework celebrations in downtown Annapolis. The team will also honor our troops with Military Appreciation Night at the Navy Marine-Corps Memorial Stadium.
The Bayhawks earned their first victory of the season against the Lizards back in May. After trailing late in the fourth quarter, Midfielder Kyle Dixon scored the game tying goal with less than thirty seconds remaining, and the Bayhawks pulled out an overtime victory over the Lizards as Attackman Kevin Huntley sank the game winning goal. Washington will look to sweep the season series with a win this Saturday.
The Bayhawks ended their four game losing streak last weekend with a road win over the Chicago Machine and will look to start a winning streak over their own against the Lizards. The win put the Bayhawks back into playoff contention and only one and half games behind the Toronto Nationals for the fourth place seed. Long Island last played on June 20th when they hosted the Machine and won by one goal.
Dixoncontinues to lead the Bayhawks offense, and leads the MLL in scoring with 30 points. The midfielder had a career day as he tallied seven points against Chicago which moved him into fifth place all-time on the Bayhawks career points list (117). Dixon scored three goals, all of which were two-point goals, tying a single game MLL record for most two-point goals in a game. The team tied an MLL record for most two-point goals as well with five as Jake Byrne and rookie Ben Hunt each added a two-pointer of their own. Hunt's tally was the first goal of his MLL career.
Dixon received help offensively from rookie Danny Glading whose five-point (2 goals, 3 assists) game earned him honors as the MLL's Cascade Rookie of the Week. Glading set career highs in each category. He has seven points in his first three MLL games.
After last week's win, goaltender Chris Garrity now stands alone in second place on the Bayhawks all-time wins list. The win broke the tie with former Bayhawk Trevor Tierney. Garrity has ten wins as a Bayhawk trailing only Greg Cattrano who holds the franchise record with 27 wins. Garrity has been in net for both Washington wins this season, and he is 2-3 with a .519 save percentage.
Nothing has changed at the face-off "X" for the Bayhawks. Alex Smith had another strong outing against the Machine last week. He won 18 of 26 face-offs and he leads the league in face-off wins (141) and face-off winning percentage (.618). He has helped Washington lead the league in both statistical categories as well, and he ranks third in the MLL in ground balls with 35.
Washington leads the league in more than face-offs. The team has been putting pressure on opposing goaltenders as they lead the MLL in shots on goal (230), total shots per game (49.1) and shot-on-goal percentage (.669). Washington looks to out shoot a Long Island squad that is focused on defense. The Lizards are last in the MLL in shots and goals per game, but they have allowed the fewest goals per game of any team (11.7). Led by three-time MLL Goalie of the Year Brian Dougherty, the Lizards have a pair of 2009 All-Star defenseman in Nicky Polanco and Ricky Pages both of who will be tasked with containing the Bayhawks high-powered offense.
Tickets for Saturday night's game are still available. Come out and enjoy a great night of lacrosse followed by fireworks in downtown Annapolis over the Chesapeake Bay. Reserve your seats by calling the Bayhawks Ticket Office at 866-99-HAWKS or by going to the Bayhawks website at www.washingtonbayhawks.com.
Major League Lacrosse Stories from July 3, 2009
- MLL Partners With Musician Avery Watts - MLL
- Bayhawks Return Home on Independence Day to Face Long Island Lizards - Chesapeake Bayhawks
- Cannons Look For Fourth Straight Win On July 4th - Boston Cannons
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