BayHawks Beat Blaze in OT Thriller
October 5, 2019 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL) News Release
Denver, CO - Early in the third quarter of Friday's first MLL Semifinal, the Chesapeake Bayhawks trailed the Atlanta Blaze 9-4, and their chances at playing for Sunday's Championship seemed minimal. Then, the Bayhawks turned it up a notch and decided they wouldn't go down without a fight.
The Bayhawks and Blaze battled in the first quarter with each team feeling each other out. The Blaze led 4-3 after the first 15 minutes. Mark Matthews scored twice for Atlanta in the opening frame.
Atlanta turned it up a notch in the second quarter outscoring the Bayhawks 5-1. Tommy Palasek and Brendan Sunday each found the back of the net twice in the second. Defensively, Blaze defenseman Leo Stouros did a masterful job at limiting MVP candidate Lyle Thompson. Thompson registered only two assists in the first half.
The second half was a different story for the Bayhawks. Chesapeake scored seven of the first eight goals following halftime. With the Bayhawks trailing 9-4, Ryan Tucker scored an incredible individual goal to fire up his team. Tucker and Lyle Thompson scored two goals apiece in the third quarter.
Thompson scored his third goal of the game at the five minute mark of the fourth to put the Bayhawks up 13-11. Randy Staats made it a one goal game before rookie TJ Comizio scored a clutch goal with 29 seconds left to send it to overtime.
In overtime, the Bayhawks controlled possession before Steele Stanwick scored the game winning goal to send the Bayhawks to the Championship Game. After the game, Stanwick said, "I just kind of blacked out." He may have forgotten, but Bayhawks fans certainly won't. The Bayhawks will play the winner of the Outlaws and Cannons Sunday at Dick's Sporting Goods Park for the 2019 MLL Championship.
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Major League Lacrosse Stories from October 5, 2019
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- BayHawks Beat Blaze in OT Thriller - MLL
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