Chicago Machine Hosts Denver Outlaws
Published on June 4, 2009 under Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Chicago Machine News Release
The Chicago Machine pro lacrosse team returns to TOYOTA PARK on Sunday, June 7, for a home game against the defending MLL Western Conference Champion Denver Outlaws at 3:00 pm. Joining the bill are the Illinois High School Lacrosse Association Boys State Championship and State Lacrosse Cup at 9:30 am and 11:30 am. Ticket information is available at www.chicagomachine.com or by calling (312) 255-1522.
Chicago: After dropping the past two games to the Boston Cannons and the Toronto Nationals, the Chicago Machine (1-2) will look to rebound with a victory against the team they beat in the first game of the season, the Denver Outlaws (2-1). Falling behind has been a problem for Chicago in their two losses. During last week's home opener at Soldier Field, the Machine mounted a furious 4th quarter comeback against the Boston Cannons but fell two goals short when the final whistle blew. At one point in the game the Machine was down 8 goals, a deficit the team was ultimately unable to overcome. Chicago needs to eliminate the opposition's scoring runs like those that happened in the middle of the Toronto and Boston games.
The Machine had good success against the Denver Outlaws in their first game of the season, winning 13 - 11. Goalie Mike Label had an MVP-worthy performance in that game, stopping 20 shots on goal. If the Machine can bring the same chemistry and intensity that they had in week one to TOYOTA PARK, the team will get back to .500 on the season.
Denver: Since losing to Chicago in week one, Denver has been red hot, winning their last two games against both Boston and Washington. Attackman Brendan Mundorf has managed his way into the number 3 spot on the MLL scoring leader board, sitting currently two spots behind Chicago's Kevin Leveille and Washington's Kyle Dixon. Additionally Denver Attackman Drew Westervelt is tied for fifth on the leader board, with 10 points.
Keys to the Game: Chicago must set the tempo of the game early. With the home crowd behind them, the Machine will also look to use rookie draftees Kenny Nims (who will start on Sunday) and John Glynn, playing in just their 2nd pro game. Nims scored a goal - his first in a pro game - last week. Attackman Chazz Woodson's return last week has given the Machine more speed and agility on offense and Midfielder Steven Brooks has really come into his own, scoring 3 goals - including a 2 pointer - last week. Add in the hot Leveille brothers, Kevin and Mike, and with the Machine operating on all cylinders, they should edge out Denver at TOYOTA PARK.
Television: Comcast Channel 100 (www.CN100.tv) will broadcast all three games on tape delay. Denver Outlaws at Chicago Machine will broadcast on Monday, June 8 at 7:00 pm. The IHSLA Prep Lacrosse State Championship will broadcast on Tuesday, June 9 at 7:00 pm, and the IHSLA Prep Lacrosse Cup Championship will broadcast on Wednesday, June 10 at 7:00 pm.
News and Notes
NIMS CONTRIBUTES IN DEBUT: Former Syracuse Attackman Kenny Nims scored his first MLL goal in Saturday's game against Boston. Nims' goal came off a pass from Kevin Leveille in the fourth quarter. Nims was instrumental in Syracuse's back-to-back National Championships. Syracuse had 4 players selected in the first round of the 2009 MLL draft including Matt Abbot, Dan Hardy, Sid Smith and Nims. There are 8 Orangemen on the Chicago Machine roster.
LEVEILLE AT THE TOP: Despite being 1-2, the Chicago Machine still have bragging rights to owning the top scorer in the league. Attackman Kevin Leveille leads the MLL in points and goals scored. Leveille put up 2 goals and 2 assists in Saturdays game against Boston. Brother Mike Leveille is tied for eighth position with 9 points.
WOODSON TALLIES FIRST POINT: Attackman Chazz Woodson scored his first goal of the 2009 season, after missing the first two games due to a knee injury. Woodson elusive style of play added significant value to the Machine attack on Saturday. Woodson has 73 points in his MLL career.
BACK TO TOYOTA PARK: After opening the season at Chicago's historic Solider Field the Machine will return to Bridgeview's TOYOTA PARK for their game against the Denver Outlaws. The Machine played all of their regular season games last season at TOYOTA PARK. The Machine is 0-1 at home this season.
DENVER FILLS STANDS: Denver is tied for the best record in the MLL at 2-1, but they also lead the league in one other important category; attendance. Denver has managed to put over 15,000 people in INVESCO Stadium during the 2009 season so far. They have an average of 7,681 people per game, which is 330 more than the Boston Cannons at number two. Chicago's reported attendance of 4,329 for Sunday's game was a significantly better number than last season's average.
For 2009 game schedule, ticketing, team and player information, visit www.chicagomachine.com or call (312) 255-1522. To receive text updates, text the word "Machine" to 95248. Follow the Chicago Machine on twitter at www.twitter.com/machinelax.
Major League Lacrosse Stories from June 4, 2009
- BayHawks Lose Rematch With Nationals - Chesapeake Bayhawks
- Toronto Nationals Outlast Washington Bayhawks - Hamilton Nationals
- Cannons Travel to Long Island for Rematch Against the Lizards - Boston Cannons
- Chicago Machine Hosts Denver Outlaws - Chicago Machine
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