Dragons Defeat Upstart Machine, 15-14
June 10, 2007 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
San Francisco Dragons News Release
Bridgeview, IL - Before a raucous crowd at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Illinois, the San Francisco Dragons finished strong and defeated conference foe Chicago by a 15-14 margin. The Dragons were hungry for a win after season opening losses at Denver (21-14) and against visiting Long Island (14-12). On the strength of a 4 goal performance by recently acquired attackman Liam Banks and a clutch two point goal by defenseman (and 2006 all-MLL pick) Eric Martin, the Dragons obtained their first win of the season.
The Dragons were slow out of the gate, as a foursome of Chicago players found the net early. The boys from San Francisco had some fight in them, and concluded the first half with a 6-2 run. During that stretch, midfield John Keysor scored his first goal of the season, and did workhorse midfielder Tim Treubig and playmaking middie Chris Rotelli. Attackman Ryan Powell buried his first of 2 goals, and Liam Banks poured in 2 of his 4 goals on the day. Banks' play through his first two games in purple and black has Major League Lacrosse abuzz, and has made General Manager Doug Locker and Coach Brian Silcott's decision to acquire him look like an exceptionally shrewd move.
The third quarter was extremely back and forth, and demonstrated why lacrosse can be "a game of runs." After the Machine and Dragons exchanged goals to open the third stanza, Chicago scored a pair, including one of 3 on the day from star attackman Kevin Leveille. The Dragons quickly answered with Matt Alrich's second goal of the frame and Rotelli's second goal of the day. After the Machine ripped off three in a row, including 2 from rookie middie Dan Deckelbaum, Tim Booth drew the Dragons back to within a goal with a solid effort 35 seconds before the end of the quarter.
After 2006 Bud Light MLL MVP Ryan Powell drew the game to an 11-11 tie, the dangerous Chicago offense posted a trifecta of goals, pushing the Dragons into a 14-11 hole. Banks answered by scoring his third goal of the day, which was followed by a critical two point goal by defenseman Eric Martin. It was Martin's second two pointer of the season, and could not have come at a better moment. With the score knotted at 14-14 and overtime being a distinct possibility, midfielder Jarett Parks fed Banks, who scored the game winning goal at the 13:47 mark of the 4th quarter and secured the Dragon's win.
The Dragons return home next Saturday, June 16th for a divisional game against the Los Angeles Riptide. The Riptide are in the midst of 2 game slide, including a loss on Saturday on the road against divisional leader Denver. Next Saturday's contest has added significance, as the game's winner will be sitting alone in second place in the Western Conference, which will put the in the driver's seat for the second and final playoff spot in the West. Opening face-off is at 1 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time
About the San Francisco Dragons The San Francisco Dragons, who as a member of the 10-team Major League Lacrosse (MLL) league, is embarking on its second season after advancing to the playoffs in 2006. The inaugural season had many highlights including attackman Ryan Powell being named both Warrior Offensive Player of the Year and Bud Light MVP.
The Dragons, based at historic Kezar Stadium's 9,044-seat track & field facility, will provide fun, affordable family entertainment showcasing America's "fastest growing team sport" in addition to becoming the foremost resource for the lacrosse community.
The Dragons play 12 games in the regular season, with its six home games being played at Kezar Stadium. The 2007 Season Home Opener will be held on Saturday, June 2nd at 2:30 p.m. Season, group and individual tickets for the Dragons are available. For tickets or more information, call 415-573-2525 or www.sfdragons.com.
About Major League Lacrosse
Major League Lacrosse, a ten-team professional outdoor lacrosse league, was founded in 1999 by fitness entrepreneur Jake Steinfeld, CEO of Body by Jake Global L.L.C., and founding 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; 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; and Jim Davis, chairman and CEO of New Balance. The MLL commenced play in June of 2001. The MLL is comprised of two conferences. The Eastern Conference contains the original six teams, Boston, Long Island, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Rochester and Washington. The Western Conference debuted in the 2006 season with MLL expansion franchises Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Additional league information can be found at www.majorleaguelacrosse.com.
Major League Lacrosse Stories from June 10, 2007
- Dragons Defeat Upstart Machine, 15-14 - San Francisco Dragons
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