Do or die time for Dragons
Published on August 10, 2006 under Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
San Francisco Dragons News Release
San Francisco, CA - On paper, the San Francisco Dragons (6-5) should easily defeat the Chicago Machine (0-11) this Saturday at Kezar Stadium. In their first two meetings this season, San Francisco beat Chicago 20-9 and 22-10, respectively. But luckily for Chicago, games aren't played on paper.
"Chicago has a team that has a lot of talent on their roster," says Dragons GM Doug Locker, "they're not going to roll over, we have to make them roll over."
To make the playoffs, the Dragons must win Saturday against the Machine and count on the Denver Outlaws to beat the LA Riptide in their match-up later that day. Because of their 3-0 edge in the season series, if both the Dragons and the Riptide were to win Saturday and each finish the season 7-5, the Riptide would finish ahead of the Dragons, and would advance to the fourth and final spot in the New Balance Championship Weekend.
No matter who gets the final playoff berth, the New Balance Championship Weekend (which includes the semi-finals and the finals, will be held at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California, at the home of the Riptide.
So even if the Dragons survive the weekend and live on in their 2006 MLL campaign, the game on Saturday, August 12th marks the end of a successful inaugural season at home in San Francisco. The Dragons have so far averaged 3,643 fans in attendance at the first five home games at historic Kezar Stadium. The attendance figures rank them in front of Eastern Conference teams the Long Island Lizards, New Jersey Pride, Baltimore Bayhawks and the Philadelphia Barrage. These eastern teams have been with the MLL since its inception, in 2001.
To say thanks to loyal Bay Area fans, the Dragons are making a special offer for their last game of the 2006 season at Kezar; the First Annual Dragons Care Food Drive. For this promotion, every non- perishable food item or toiletries item donated credits the fan and allows them to buy a general admission ticket for only ten dollars.
"We felt that this promotion was a great idea, in more than one way," said Dragons President Chris Bulger, "offering such a discount is a great way to say thank you to the people of San Francisco for a great inaugural season, in addition to contributing to a very worthwhile cause." The Dragons Care Food Drive is being held in cooperation with the San Francisco Food Bank and the Hamilton Family Center, both local San Francisco charities.
Saturday's game against the Chicago Machine will be televised nationally as ESPN2's MLL game of the week. It will be broadcast Tuesday, August 15th at 1:00 PDT.
Major League Lacrosse Stories from August 10, 2006
- Do or die time for Dragons - San Francisco Dragons
- Barrage Battle Bayhawks in Final Season Game - Philadelphia Barrage
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
