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Chesapeake Hosts Scrimmage Day Involving Three Other MLL Teams

April 19, 2014 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL) - Chesapeake Bayhawks News Release


SEVERNA PARK, MD - The Chesapeake Bayhawks hosted a scrimmage day involving three other Major League Lacrosse teams on Saturday at Severn School. The Charlotte Hounds, Denver Outlaws and Florida Launch traveled to the private school in Severna Park to join the Bayhawks in one last test prior to next weekend's season openers.

All four teams played two abbreviated games that lasted three quarters. Chesapeake head coach Dave Cottle had mixed feelings after watching his club defeat Florida, 11-5, and lose to Denver, 8-5. "Right now, I think we are an average team. I didn't see anything out there today that made me think we're a good team at this point, but we'll keep working to get there," Cottle said. "One thing I know for sure is that we need to get into better shape. Our conditioning level was at about 85 percent of where it needs to be."

To be fair, the two-time defending champion Bayhawks were without numerous key players, including starting attackman Drew Westervelt, top long stick defensive midfielder Jesse Bernhardt and starting goalkeeper Kip Turner as well as high-scoring midfielders Peet Poillon and Joe Walters. Westervelt and Walters are among several Bayhawks still playing professionally indoors in the National Lacrosse League. Bernhardt (Maryland), Turner (Brown) and Poillon (Hobart) are all assistant coaches at the collegiate level. "Obviously, we were not at full strength and it makes a difference when you don't have some of your top players. That being said, we need other guys to step up and perform until we get everyone back," Cottle said.

Brendan Mundorf, acquired from Denver through an offseason trade, showed he will be a difference-maker for Chesapeake this season by scoring two goals and dishing off three assists in the victory over the Launch. "Brendan made everyone on the field better," Cottle said of the five-time MLL All-Star who has amassed 347 career points. Veteran attackman Ben Rubeor also played very well in the Florida game, leading all scorers with four goals. Cottle was also impressed with the play of two other first-year Bayhawks - midfielder Stephen Peyser and defenseman Brian Megill. Peyser, a six-year pro acquired from Ohio via trade, performed well on faceoffs and scored a goal. Megill, a second-year man acquired from Denver in a trade, showed the versatility to play both close defense and long stick midfield.

Tyler Fiorito, a four-time All-American at Princeton, had a good day in the goal. The Baltimore native and McDonogh High product was drafted by the Bayhawks in 2012, but has played in just one professional game. With 2012 and 2013 backup T.C. DiBartolo unable to play this season, Fiorito is battling Bruce Bickford for the No. 2 job behind Turner. Chesapeake defeated Charlotte in last year's MLL championship game while Denver went 14-0 to capture the 2013 regular season championship. Florida is an old franchise with a new look, having moved to Boca Raton from Hamilton, Ontario.

B.J. O'Hara, who has replaced Jim Stagnitta as Denver head coach, said the scrimmage day served its purpose. The Outlaws have nine new players on the roster and the coaching staff was able to see how they fit in. "We came out here with a two-fold approach. We wanted to evaluate our new guys while at the same time laying the foundation for what we want to do in the regular season," O'Hara said. "We played a lot of lacrosse this afternoon and it was a productive day on both fronts. We thank the Bayhawks for putting this event together."

Stan Ross is the first-year head coach of the Florida Launch, who practiced for the first time this preseason on Saturday morning at Severn before playing scrimmages against Chesapeake and Charlotte.

"We did pretty well against the Hounds, but we got tired in the second and third periods against the Bayhawks, which was understandable considering how long this day was for our players," Ross said. "I was pleased with the way our players adapted and adjusted to our philosophy. Everything we are doing is new to them and our guys showed they are coachable."


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