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Hounds' Brendan Fowler Named Faceoff Player of the Week

April 14, 2015 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL) - Charlotte Hounds News Release


CHARLOTTE, NC (April 14, 2015) - Major League Lacrosse today announced its first set of weekly award winners for 2015, naming the Charlotte Hounds' Brendan Fowler FOA-thlete of the Week, presented by The Faceoff Academy. The winners are chosen by the league's front office and are based on outstanding in-game achievements. In addition to Fowler's honor, Rochester Rattlers attack Jordan Wolf earned Warrior Offensive Player of the Week, the Boston Cannons' Chad Weidmaier was named Warrior Defensive Player of the Week and Cannons midfielder Scott Ratliff was branded RPM Transition Player of the Week.

This is the first time Fowler has been honored by MLL with a weekly award, though he was named the league's Humanitarian of the Month in July 2014. "It's definitely a good feeling to be selected as the Faceoff Athlete of the Week, but I'd much rather get a team win than any individual awards," said Fowler. "It's only Week 1 of the season and myself and the team have a ton of improving to do."

Fowler was dominate at the X on Sunday, winning 16-23 draws (69.6%) versus James Carroll of the Rattlers. The game was a nail-biter, with the score tied 8-8 late into the fourth quarter. Mike Sawyer scored the go-ahead goal for the Hounds with 1:43 remaining, but a holding penalty called on Brett Schmidt one minute later proved costly as Jeremy Boltus notched the power-play goal to send the game into overtime. The teams traded possessions to begin extra time, but as soon as the Rattlers got their second chance on offense it was Wolf who tallied the game winner off another shot's rebound.

"t was a really exciting, tight game on Sunday," said Fowler. "I think if our team can keep our composure late in the game and stay focused we can have a bright season ahead. I felt very prepared and confident going into the game. I worked really hard this offseason between wrestling at Duke University all winter and working with Greg Gurenlian, Jerry Ragonese and Chris Mattes over at the Faceoff Academy. Those guys took me under their wing, changed my style up and taught me a lot about how to be successful facing off in the MLL."

The Hounds originally drafted Fowler with the 13th overall pick in the 2014 Collegiate Draft. He had been a standout at Duke, compiling a 816-1340 (60.9%) faceoff record over four years. Fowler was a USILA first-team All American in 2013 and was an instrumental piece in the Blue Devils winning back-to-back National Championships. When he joined the Hounds midway through the 2014 season, Fowler was forced to split time at the X with veteran MLL FOGO Timmy Fallon. However, Fallon retired in the offseason to pursue other career opportunities, opening the door for Fowler to take the leading role. "Splitting time with Timmy was great last year and I learn a lot from him," said Fowler. "But I think I personally perform a lot better when I take all the draws in a game, so it felt really good knowing I was going to have that opportunity."

Fowler and the Hounds have a bye this weekend, but will return to action with a road game against the Boston Cannons on Sunday, April 26 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass. Faceoff is scheduled for 4:00pm ET and the game will be available as a live stream on ESPN3.

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