Bayhawks Run Past Cannons In Final Seconds, 14-13
August 7, 2009 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Chesapeake Bayhawks News Release
Cambridge, MA - The Washington Bayhawks (5-7) of Major League Lacrosse (MLL) completed their 2009 regular season in memorable fashion Thursday night against the Boston Cannons with a 14-13 come-from-behind victory at Harvard Stadium. Rookie Pete Poillon scored with 3.5 seconds remaining in regulation to complete the comeback and keep the Bayhawks playoff hopes alive.
"I knew the clock was winding down, so I just let it go," said Poillon. "Everyone fought hard to get back into the game, and we didn't want to go to overtime like last week. This win feels really great right now. We'll worry about everything else later."
Entering Thursday's game, the Bayhawks needed a win coupled with a Long Island Lizards loss Saturday night to earn the final spot for the 2009 MLL New Balance Championship Weekend. After trailing the entire game, the Bayhawks completed a remarkable comeback to take care of their share of the playoff push. The team must now wait for the result of the Lizards game as they travel to Soldier Field Saturday evening to play the Chicago Machine.
Andrew "Buggs" Combs opened the scoring in the game on a feed from rookie Danny Glading. The Cannons evened the score thirty seconds later as Paul Rabil scored the first of his three goals on the night. Poillon responded for the Bayhawks with his first goal of the game to regain the lead at 2-1. Poillon was named MLL Rookie of the Week this past week for his four-goal performance last Saturday against the Chicago Machine. Rabil answered again for Boston, evening the game at two apiece.
The second quarter was evenly played, but the Bayhawks could not find the back of the net. Boston used a three-goal run over a minute and half to jump out ahead of the Bayhawks. The Cannons added a fourth goal late in the quarter to take a 6-2 lead into halftime. It was only the second time this season the Bayhawks failed to score a goal in a quarter.
"We played strong defensively all game," said Bayhawks Head Coach John Tucker. "Our shot selection needed to be better in the first half, especially the second quarter. We made the adjustments throughout the second half, and we got better as the game went along."
Boston continued their assault on the Bayhawks early in the third quarter with three quick goals to move ahead by a game-high seven goal margin. Combs finally ended the Cannons scoring run followed by two more Bayhawks goals from Jed Prossner and Kyle Dixon. Dixon's goal, a two-point tally, cut the score to 9-6, but Boston responded with a pair of goals to push the lead to 11-6 going into the final frame.
Rookie Matt Abbott sparked the Bayhawks on the initial possession in the fourth quarter, and Ben Rubeor followed two minutes later to cut the lead back to three. Rabil added his third goal, a two-point strike that appeared to crush the Bayhawks hopes. The team wouldn't be rattled. Billy Glading scored less than a minute later to make the score 13-9. Dixon ripped a shot high stick side for his second two-point goal of the night cutting the lead down to two goals. Dixon's two two-point scores brought him to ten on the season, one shy of the MLL single season record held by Mike Regan (2003) and former Bayhawk Mark Frye (2005). Dixon completed the hat trick two minutes later cutting the lead to one goal. Poillon evened the score with under five minutes to play on a pass from Rubeor. The final four and half minutes were highlighted by big saves by both teams' goalies, but Poillon clinched the dramatic finish with his third goal of the game with 3.5 seconds left on the clock. It was the second straight week a Bayhawk rookie scored the game winning goal; last week Abbott won the game in overtime.
The Bayhawks home season is over for 2009, but fans can become part of the action next summer. 2010 Bayhawks Season Tickets are on sale now through the Bayhawks Ticket Office. For a limited time, fans will receive a Bayhawks autographed MLL lacrosse ball when they reserve two or more seats for next summer's games. To reserve your tickets, contact the Bayhawks at 866-99-HAWKS (42957) or by going to the Bayhawks website at www.washingtonbayhawks.com.
Major League Lacrosse Stories from August 7, 2009
- Bayhawks Run Past Cannons In Final Seconds, 14-13 - Chesapeake Bayhawks
- Machine Back to Soldier Field Tomorrow - Chicago Machine
- Come to Annapolis & Play Lacrosse In Front of the Pros - MLL
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