Atlanta Blaze Fall to Rochester Rattlers 18-9
August 4, 2016 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Atlanta Blaze News Release
Kennesaw, Ga--The Rochester Rattlers came out fast in the first quarter scoring on the first possession :05 seconds into the game. However, after the first goal, goalie Dillon Ward stepped up his game and came up big in the first half, only allowing only 2 more goals the entire remainder of the quarter. The Blaze offense also added to an impressive defensive job by Ward, by scoring 2 of their own goals back to back. However by the end of the quarter, the Rattlers had gotten the last point, ending the 1st quarter 2-3 to favor the Rattlers.
The second quarter saw the Blaze score three unanswered goals, until Rochester retaliated with three goals of their own. To end the first half Mark Matthews and Ned Crotty traded goals and half ultimately ended with the Blaze down by one. Goalie Dillon Ward faced 11 shots in the half coming up with 4 saves.
Going into the third quarter Blaze goalie Adam Ghitelman took the cage. The Blaze struggled against an impressive Rochester offense and the quarter ultimately saw nine goals scored for 10 points, 8 points of which went to the Rattlers.
While the final quarter started off with a quick goal by the Blaze, it wasn't long before Rochester regained control of the game and ended the game with a final score of 18-9.
Despite the point differential, the Blaze kept fighting throughout the entire match. One of the brightest spots of the night for the Blaze came in the performance of attackmen Mark Matthews. He scored four goals on the night, with one assist and scooped one ground ball. Looking into next season Matthews has proven himself to be an impressive powerhouse for the Blaze, and will add to a very strong offensive unit alongside Randy Staats and Kevin Rice.
This game marks the end of the season for the Blaze but they will be back next summer to fight and leave their mark on the league. Rochester, however, is still in the running for the playoffs if the Florida Launch come out on top of the Boston Cannons this weekend. Playoffs start with the semifinals on August 13th followed by the finals at our home field, Fifth Third Bank Stadium on August 20th.
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Major League Lacrosse Stories from August 4, 2016
- Atlanta Blaze Fall to Rochester Rattlers 18-9 - Atlanta Blaze
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