Cannons Visit Baltimore Saturday
Published on July 7, 2006 under Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Boston Cannons News Release
Boston, MA (July 7, 2006)- The Boston Cannons of Major League Lacrosse (MLL) will travel to Maryland to face the Baltimore Bayhawks at Towson University's Johnny Unitas Stadium on Saturday, July 8, at 7:00 PM. This is the eighth game of the season for both the Cannons and the Bayhawks.
The Cannons make their way to Baltimore with a league-best record of 7-1. Meanwhile, the Bayhawks have struggled this season, and head into Saturday's match-up with a record of 2-5. Including the playoffs, the Bayhawks currently lead the all-time series 9 games to 5.
Boston and Baltimore last met July 31, 2005 in Baltimore, where the Cannons defeated the Bayhawks by a score of 25-13. In a contest that saw two former Cannons players each score nine goals (Mark Millon and Kevin Leveille), Boston's defense also put in a top-notch effort, holding former Bayhawks Gary Gait to just a lone assist on the evening. It was also Baltimore's first loss of the 2005 season.
Boston is coming off of a decisive 16-5 victory over the Philadelphia Barrage last Thursday in a game that was cut short due to lightning with 13:00 remaining in the fourth quarter. It was the Cannons second victory over Philadelphia in as many weeks.
The Cannons offense struck early and often in Philadelphia, with ten Cannons finding the back of the net, as Coach Bill Daye earned his sixth victory.
The big story on offense was the play of Cannons rookies Matt Poskay, Brett Bucktooth, and DJ Andrzejewski. Poskay scored a hat-trick Thursday, and now has 8 goals in 3 games as a member of the Cannons. Bucktooth added a pair of goals and assisted on one of Poskay's scores. And Andrzejewski, appearing in his very fist game as a member of the Cannons, scored Boston's final goal of the evening on his lone shot of the game.
The Cannons scoring effort was once again led by attacker Conor Gill, who had a goal and four assists. Jonathan Christmas had a pair of goals, Chazz Woodson netted a hat-trick, and Chris Fiore, Chris Mucciolo, and Dave Jenkins each added a goal as well.
The Boston defense was again in top form as only four Barrage players were allowed to score and Philadelphia's Roy Colsey and Ryan Boyle, who have 24 and 18 points respectively, were held to just 2-points a piece. Ryan Curtis scored his first goal of the season late in the third quarter. Boston has allowed just 84 goals in seven games for a 12.00 goals-against-average.
Chris Garrity made 29 saves, and was named both Bud Light MVP and MLL Defensive Player of the Week. He is now 6-1, with an 11.72 goals-against-average and a .622 save percentage.
In five appearances versus Baltimore, Garrity is 4-1, with a 14.1 goals-against-average and a .589 save percentage.
Baltimore Head Coach Scott Hiller and his team enter the game following a 21-12 loss at the hands of the Rochester Rattlers and having lost two of their last three games.
The Bayhawks entered the season with just nine returning members from their 2005 MLL Championship winning team, and have relied heavily on the performance on their many recent draft picks.
Baltimore's offense is led by attackers Mark Millon, Tom Marecheck, and Matt Ward. Millon leads the Bayhawks in scoring this season, with 15 goals and 8 assists. Ward, the 2006 Tewaaratan Trophy recipient, was named Rookie of the Week in week five of the season. Ward has 13 points for the Bayhawks.
Michael Mollet leads Baltimore's midfielders in scoring, with 18 points. He is joined by Justin Redd, Jude Collins, Mark Frye, and rookies Bill McGlone and John Keysor. Frye can be dangerous from behind the two-point arc, although he only has scored one two-pointer this season. Ben Felice (54-125) and Kevin Frew (59-93) have been splitting time at the face-off X for Baltimore this year.
Veteran Shawn Nedelen was joined by former Cannons defenseman Ronnie Staines to anchor the Baltimore defense this season. Michael Howley, Casey Connor, and Christian Cook round out the Baltimore defensive unit.
Baltimore has allowed 108 goals in seven games for a 15.43 goals-against-average.
Rookie Goalie Greg Havalchak has made four starts for Baltimore and is 1-3. He has a 13.37 goals-against-average and a .550 save percentage.
The Boston Cannons return to Nickerson Field on Saturday, July 22, when they host the Rochester Rattlers at 7:00 PM.
Week Eight Game Notes: Baltimore Head Coach Scott Hiller coached the Cannons for 4 seasons, earning a record a 34-23...Cannons players Jamie Hanford (2002-2003) and midfielder Drew Pfarr (2005) have previously played for the Bayhawks....Baltimore's Mark Millon (2005), midfielder Paul Gillette (2005), midfielder Kevin Frew (2004), and defenseman Ronnie Staines (2004-2005) have previously played for Boston...Chris Garrity was named Bud Light MVP for the 3rd time this season and Defensive Player of the Week for the 2nd time this season following Boston's victory in Philadelphia...Baltimore's Christian Cook was a scratch for Team USA at the yesterday's MLL-All Star game due to injury, as was the Cannons Mike Battista for the MLL All-Stars...The winner of the last 5 meeting between the Cannons and the Bayhawks has scored at least 20 points in the game.
Major League Lacrosse Stories from July 7, 2006
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- Cannons Visit Baltimore Saturday - Boston Cannons
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