Cannons Play Game 3 At Home Saturday
Published on June 3, 2004 under Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Boston Cannons News Release
(Boston, MA â June 3, 2004) The Boston Cannons of Major League lacrosse (MLL) play their third game of the season, second home game, this Saturday June 5 against the Rochester Rattlers at 7:00PM at Boston University's Nickerson Field. The Cannons (2-0) enter play following their second one-goal win of the season on Thursday May 27 against the Baltimore Bayhawks at Johnny Unitas Stadium, Towson, MD. The Rattlers come to Boston for the first and only time this season with a 1 and 1 record, earning their first win last Saturday (May 29) 24-17 at Bishop Kearney Field in Rochester, NY.
"Saturday's game will be a big test for us," said Scott Hiller, Cannons Head Coach. "I think we proved we can play with anyone, beating Long Island and Baltimore in the first two weeks of the season. But there are still things we can improve on and that's our goal each and every week. The Rattlers have a great attack line and they will be a challenge for our defense."
The Rattlers boast one of the game's best offenses, featuring two of the game's biggest names in Casey and Ryan Powell. Casey led the MLL in points in 2003 with 70 total points on 37 goals, 1 two-point goal and 32 assists. Ryan was the MLL's MVP in 2001. He's off to a strong start in '04, earning the MLL's Offensive Player of the Week in week 1. Powell notched a career high 10 points in Rochester's May 22 loss to Baltimore. His seven goals and three assists made his point total a franchise single-game high.
"Covering Casey and Ryan will be a challenge," said Hiller. "But our defense will be ready for the task. Our close defense has played well in the first two games, especially against Long Island holding their attack to just three goals."
The Cannons earned their third straight 2 and 0 start to a season with a combination of explosive offense and timely defense against Baltimore on May 27. The Cannons registered 17 first half points, one shy of a MLL record. Kevin Leveille and Conor Gill were the game's offensive stars. Leveille recorded a career high seven points, including his first career two-point goal (5g â 1 2ptg â 1a â 7pts). Gill was named the game's Bud Light MVP after scoring both the game tying and game winning goal in the fourth quarter. He finished the game with six points (3g and 3a). Gill is currently tied for the MLL lead in assists with seven.
Three key defensive plays helped Boston to its second win. Tim Byrnes, game one's hero (game winning goal with 8 seconds left vs. Long Island) intercepted a pass in the Cannons defensive end and the Cannons tied the game on the ensuing possession. Ryan Curtis and Jed Raymond both made key strips of Mark Millon and Josh Sims respectively down the stretch to preserve the win.
Saturday's game begins at 7:00PM with coverage on the Boston Cannons Web Radio Network Presented by New Balance starting at 6:45PM. Members of the media planning to attend Saturday's game should contact Jason Chandler (617-746-9933) before noon on Friday to secure credentials and parking. The Cannons will provide media outlets with a complete post game write-up immediately following the game's conclusion.
Cannons Game Three Notes:
The Boston Cannons, with their win Thursday May 27, improved to 4 and 0 all-time in road openers... The Cannons have begun the last three seasons (2002-2004) with 2 and 0 starts. The Cannons have never started a season 3 and 0... The Cannons win over Baltimore makes it three straight over Baltimore. The feat represents a shift in power between the two teams as the Bayhawks won the first five regular season meetings between the teams, seven total when including Baltimore's two playoff wins over Boston in 2001 and 2002... The Cannons are 2 and 4 all-time against Rochester, in one of the MLL's closest played series. Five of the six meetings between the two teams have been decided by two goals or less. Rochester and Boston have played four one-goal games and two overtime contests. The Cannons are 2 and 2 versus the Rattlers over the past two seasons; they lost both games to Rochester in 2001... Conor Gill recorded five total points last weekend. That marks the eleventh time in his career he has notched five or more points... Cannons midfielder Mike Regan returned to the lineup after serving his one-game suspension in the season opener (May 22) for an August 2, 2003 altercation with Baltimore's Brian Reese. Regan returned to record 4 goals and 1 assist for 5 points on May 27... The Cannons were without the services of defenseman Tom Fallon last Thursday. Fallon missed the game due to an unexpected death in the family. He returns Saturday... Kevin Leveille recorded a career high 7 points and his first ever two-pointer on May 27. Leveille now has more goals in 2004 (7) than he did in all of 2003 (6)... The Cannons have three current league leaders. Gill is tied for the MLL lead in assists; David Evans is tied for MLL lead in two-point goals and Chris Garrity leads the MLL in wins.
ABOUT THE CANNONS AND MAJOR LEAGUE LACROSSE:
The Boston Cannons, of Major League Lacrosse, feature the best lacrosse players in the world. The Cannons play their home games at Boston University's Nickerson Field, Boston, MA. The Cannons play a seven game home schedule that began Saturday May 22, 2004 with a thrilling 17-16 win over Long Island in front of a team record 6,312 fans at Nickerson Field. The Cannons played their first road game of the season at the Baltimore Bayhawks on May 27, 2004, winning 22-21. For more information on all of the fast-paced, hard-hitting excitement of Boston Cannons Lacrosse visit www.bostoncannons.com or call 888-847-9700.
Major League Lacrosse, a six-team professional outdoor lacrosse league, was founded in 1999 by fitness entrepreneur Jake Steinfeld, CEO of Body by Jake Enterprises, and partners Dave Morrow, a former champion lacrosse player and now CEO of Warrior Lacrosse, a leading global provider of innovative and high performance lacrosse equipment; and Timothy B. Robertson, former CEO of The Family Channel and the current chairman of Bay Shore Enterprises, L.L.C., an investment holding company with activities in international media and Internet technology ventures. The MLL commenced play in June of 2001 with teams in Baltimore, Boston, (Bridgeport) Connecticut, Long Island, (Bridgewater) New Jersey and Rochester. The 2003 MLL season began on Saturday, May 31 and concluded with the League's Championship Weekend at Villanova Stadium, Friday-Sunday, August 22-24, with the Long Island Lizards defeating the Baltimore Bayhawks in a thrilling 15-14 overtime New Balance Championship Game victory. League information can be found at www.majorleaguelacrosse.com.
Major League Lacrosse Stories from June 3, 2004
- Bayhawks Take Powell First Overall - Chesapeake Bayhawks
- Cannons Make Six Draft Picks - Boston Cannons
- Lizrda Add Three in Draft - New York Lizards
- MLL Collegiate Draft Today - Boston Cannons
- Cannons Play Game 3 At Home Saturday - Boston Cannons
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