Dragons Quell Riptide, 19-15
August 10, 2008 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
San Francisco Dragons News Release
Los Angeles, CA -. The Riptide, heading to the MLL Playoffs, was beaten soundly by visiting San Francisco Dragons, 19-15. San Francisco's captain and goalkeeper, Matt Vallone was named MLL's Bud Light MVP of the Game. The Dragons team shared 19 points between 10 players in the win. This was the first time San Francisco Dragons have ever beaten the Riptide in their 3 year franchise existence.
Los Angeles Riptide struck twice in the first 2 and half minutes to lead the San Francisco Dragons for the first and last time of the evening. Riptide's Kevin Huntley scored two unassisted goals in the game before the Dragons found their rhythm and went on a 5 goal run in the 1st quarter. Dragons' attackman Xander Ritz netted the first goal unassisted followed by unassisted goals from midfielders Mike Podgajny and Matt Lalli. Midfielder Ryan Cranston converted a pass from midfielder Bill McGlone after which Ritz had an unassisted 2 point goal conversion. Los Angeles retaliated with a 2 pointer to end the quarter.
The second quarter also saw the Dragons outscoring the Riptide 6-4. Los Angeles took two quick points in the first 3 minutes to even the game at 6-6. The Dragons went on another 5 goal scoring spree. MLL All Star attackman Jake Byrne scored unassisted and then assisted captain attackman Liam Banks on a shorthanded goal. Midfielder Brendan Loftus garnered an unassisted goal followed by midfielder Todd Fairlie picking up his second goal of the season. McGlone then converted a Loftus feed to finish the run. LA picked up a shorthanded goal. Midfielder Tim Booth recorded his goal of the game before LA's Greg Downing gave the Riptide another point to end the quarter.
The score at half was Dragons 12 to Riptide 8.
The Riptide crept back in the third quarter, outscoring the Dragons 5-3 with all five goals coming off of field play. . Loftus, Cranston and Byrne were the Dragons scorers.
In the 4th quarter, the Dragons outscored LA by 2 to maintain the lead and finish the game with a solid win. McGlone picked up his 2nd goal and Banks converted his 2nd off a Byrne pass. McGlone put the exclamation point on the win scoring the last goal of the game with an unassisted 2 pointer.
Dragons' McGlone led the team with 5 points: 3 goals (1 2- pointer) and one assist. Byrne finished with 4 points: 2 goals and 2 assists. Cranston, Loftus and Ritz each posted 2 goals and one assist. Banks was good for 2 goals and Fairlie, Booth, Lalli and Podgajny netted a goal apiece.
Specialist Greg Gurenlian was 19-35 on face-offs and led the team with 8 ground balls. Vallone posted 21 saves in his MVP game play.
Los Angeles' attackman Jesse Hubbard was the team's leading scorer with 5 points: 4 goals and 1 assists. Goalies Mickey Jarboe and Joey Kemp split time in the cage with Jarboe recording 3 saves in the 1st quarter and Kemp taking the loss with 12 saves.
Dragons' Head Coach Tom Slate was pleased with the win. "It was a great win for us. We were consistent all four quarters. This is the unity we have been working for all season. All our rookies became veterans today."
Tonight's game will be televised tape delayed on ESPN2 on Tuesday, August 12 at 12:30 pm (PT).
The 2008 NB ZIP MLL Championship Weekend takes place August 23-24 at Harvard Stadium in Cambridge, Mass. The semi-final games will be held at 12:00 PM ET and 3:00 PM ET on Saturday, August 23. The two Semi-Final winners will advance to the NB ZIP MLL Championship Game at 1:00 PM ET on Sunday, August 24. Saturday's first semi-final game, as well as Sunday's Championship Game will air live on ESPN2.
Major League Lacrosse Stories from August 10, 2008
- Dragons Quell Riptide, 19-15 - San Francisco Dragons
- Pride Outlast Barrage, 17-16 - Philadelphia Barrage
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