Dragons home opener against LA Riptide
May 29, 2008 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
San Francisco Dragons News Release
Burlingame - The San Francisco Dragons (0-1) will host the Los Angeles Riptide (1-1) this Saturday, May 31 for the Dragons first home game of the season in their new venue, Spartan Stadium at San Jose State University.
The long standing rivalry of the Northern California versus Southern California is in every major sport and professional lacrosse is no exception.
Saturday's competition will be the seventh between the California lacrosse teams, the third in Dragons country. The Dragons will be seeking their first franchise win over the Riptide: in 5 previous contests, the Dragons have been outscored 87-57.
A pair of former Riptide players will be wearing the Dragons purple and black for the first time in this rivalry. Veteran midfielder Matt Ogelsby, who joined the team in the off-season, and fellow midfielder Sean Lindsay, who was traded to San Francisco late last night during the 2008 Major League Lacrosse Collegiate Draft. As a member of the LA Riptide, Lindsay had 16 points (11 goals, 2 two-point goals, and 3 assists) in 5 games against the Dragons.
For the Dragons to emerge victorious, they will need to rely on their team leaders. Goalie Matt Vallone, a member of the Riptide in 2006, had 45 saves in 3 games against Los Angeles last year. Attackman Jake Byrne has 8 points (6 goals, 2 two-point goals) in 3 games against LA, and midfielder Jarett Park has 9 points in 5 meetings (4 goals, 1 two-point goal, four assists). Defenseman Eric Martin has been a vacuum in the series, scooping up 21 ground balls in 5 games.
Martin and the rest of the Dragons defense will have their hands full shutting down Riptide attackman Michael Watson, who has recorded 18 points (15 goals, 3 assists) in 5 games versus San Francisco. Goaltender Mickey Jarboe has allowed 29 goals and 2 two-point goals in 3 games against the Dragons.
The two teams will meet twice more this season, Saturday, August 2nd at Spartan Stadium and the following Saturday, August 9th, at LeBard Stadium in Southern California.
The Dragons home opener will also coincide with the Northern California Junior Lacrosse Association (NCJLA) Championships Weekend where the Dragons are hosting 500+ young lacrosse players competing on pups, youth, and high school club teams for their season end games. For more information on NCJLA, visit their website at www.ncjla.org.
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