Cannons Finish Regular Season with 16-15 Overtime Win
August 13, 2011 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Boston Cannons News Release
BOSTON - Twenty-seven seconds into overtime, Boston's Brad Ross split the Rochester Rattlers' defense and found an open corner, giving the Cannons a 16-15 win in front of 8,154 at the final game of the regular season. Ross earned Bud Light Player of the Game for his 3-point performance. The Cannons move on to face the Chesapeake Bayhawks in the first semi-final game of the Sports Authority MLL Championship Weekend on August 27 in Annapolis, MD.
Paul Rabil also had an excellent game offensively, clinching the Major League Lacrosse scoring title by one point over Rochester's Ned Crotty. With 50 points on the season, Rabil has 28 goals, 4 two-point goals and 18 assists in 11 regular season games. Crotty added three goals and an assist tonight for a season total of 49. Rabil was named Cannons Offensive Player of the Year by the team.
In the first quarter, the Cannons took a quick two-point lead over the Rattlers with goals from Matt Poskay and Mike Stone. Rochester was able to tie up the game at 2 before Rabil scored to end the quarter with Boston leading 4-3.
Rochester fought back in the second quarter as Ned Crotty scored the first goal. Kevin Buchanan, Brian Farrell, Ross and Rabil scored to come back and lead the Rattlers into halftime, 9-7. Rabil's goal in the closing seconds of the quarter marked his fourth two-point goal of the season.
The second half was a battle as Rochester kept within one point going into the final fifteen minutes of play. The Rattlers grabbed the 15-14 lead after a goal from Martin Cahill, but their lead was short as Buchanan, who recently earned MLL Offensive Player of the Week honors for the first time, tied it up with only three seconds remaining in the game.
Heading into overtime, Boston was fired up and gained immediate possession of the ball. After a quick time out, Ross found the back of the net to seal the victory.
With a win over Chesapeake in two weeks, Boston will play for the Steinfeld Cup on August 28th at 3:00 PM EST against either the Hamilton Nationals or Denver Outlaws.
In addition to Rabil's award, the team named goalie Jordan Burke team Most Valuable Player, Mitch Belisle Defensive Player of the Year, Brian Farrell Rookie of the Year, and JJ Morrissey was given the 11th Man Award, for his contributions on and off the field.
Major League Lacrosse Stories from August 13, 2011
- Crowley Helps Nats Clinch Playoff Berth - Hamilton Nationals
- Cannons Finish Regular Season with 16-15 Overtime Win - Boston Cannons
- BayHawks' Rookie Defense Not Enough to Clinch 2nd - Chesapeake Bayhawks
- Denver Outlaws Cruise to 15-9 Victory to Close Regular Season; Earn No. 2 Playoff Seed - Denver Outlaws
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