Boston Cannons Clinch Playoffs with 18-16 Win over Ohio Machine
August 11, 2012 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Boston Cannons News Release
Delaware, Ohio - The Boston Cannons (9-5) secured their spot in the MLL Championship Weekend with an 18-16 victory over the Ohio Machine (2-12) in tonight's regular season finale. Ryan Boyle was named Bud Light Player of the Game for leading the Cannons with two goals and four assists for six points. Combined with Long Island's loss to Hamilton, the Cannons earn the third seed and will face the loser of tonight's Denver-Chesapeake game.
Kyle Hartzell struck first with a long two-pointer to give the Machine an early lead. But Matt Poskay scored twice in the quarter and Mike Stone and Paul Rabil each had one to end the first quarter in a 4-4 tie.
Stone, Pat Heim, Ari Sussman and Boyle each scored early in the second quarter to give the Cannons a three-point lead. But Ohio went on a five-goal run to end the first half, including two from Steele Stanwick with less than a minute on the clock, to take an 11-9 lead into the break.
Ohio kept the Cannons off the board for 12 minutes in the third quarter while scoring twice to increase their lead to 13-9. Stone completed a hat trick and Boyle scored his second goal to pull the Cannons back within two heading into the final 15 minutes of play.
With a two-point goal early in the fourth quarter, Rabil tied the game at 14 and tied the MLL single-season scoring record of 71 points (set by John Grant, Jr. in 2007). Kevin Buchanan scored all three of his goals in the fourth quarter and Boyle set up the Cannons' final three goals of the game to secure the victory and the chance for Boston to defend the Steinfeld Trophy at home at Harvard Stadium, August 25 & 26.
Tickets to the MLL Championship Weekend are available now through Ticketmaster.com.
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Major League Lacrosse Stories from August 11, 2012
- Hounds Finish Inaugural Season with a Win - Charlotte Hounds
- Dixon Totals Seven Points, But BayHawks Fall 15-13 - Chesapeake Bayhawks
- Boston Cannons Clinch Playoffs with 18-16 Win over Ohio Machine - Boston Cannons
- Nationals End the Season on a High Note - Hamilton Nationals
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