Game 4 Preview: BayHawks Travel to Denver for Outlaws' Mile High Fourth of July
July 3, 2019 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Chesapeake Bayhawks News Release
Chesapeake BayHawks vs. the Denver Outlaws
(Chesapeake Bayhawks)
ANNAPOLIS, MD - With the outcome of last year's tight, well-battled playoff game still in the front of Chesapeake's mind, Head Coach Dave Cottle and his Bayhawks squad travels to the Mile High City and with hopes to deliver a bit of revenge to a tough Outlaws team. This encounter falls on Denver's annual Mile High Fourth of July game.
The Bayhawks are coming off a 10-19 loss against the Atlanta Blaze at home, now owning a record of 2-1 and ranking fourth in the league (playing two less games than the Outlaws). Denver currently holds first at 4-1 and gave the Cannons their first loss of the season in a 17-16 nail-biter victory.
One of the biggest changes for the Bayhawks will be the player taking faceoffs. In the previous game, faceoff specialist Kenny Massa suffered an injury after receiving an illegal check to the head from Atlanta Blaze defensemen David Manning. Long Stick Midfielder CJ Costabile took the remainder of the faceoffs in the Atlanta game, but replacing Massa in Denver will be veteran faceoff specialist Eric O'Brien. O'Brien appeared in one game last season winning 18 of 27 faceoffs and recording 10 ground balls before being injured for the remainder of the season. At 6'3", 230-pounds, O'Brien has a large physical advantage against his opponent, the 5'10', 180-pound Max Adler, and could wear Adler down over the course of the game.
Offensively, Chesapeake continues to find the back of the net with little-to-no problem. Attackman Lyle Thompson has been the Bayhawks' (and one of Major League Lacrosse's) most productive player with 19 points (13G, 6A) in his first three games. Colin Heacock is finding his stride, scoring 6 goals himself this season. The Maryland graduate has complimented Steele Stanwick's playmaking ability well, and all three together should have no problem finding the back of the net against Denver.
Nick Mariano, often unheralded, is the Bayhawks' second-leading goal scorer with seven goals on his ledger. The New York native has been a great offensive catalyst for the Bayhawks and is always a threat with the ball in his stick. Matt Abbott and Colton Watkinson also provide matchup challenges for Denver. Both have an impressive ability to play a two-way game and have astute playmaking ability.
To celebrate his birthday on July 2nd, Coach Cottle made a trade, adding Midfielder Ryan Keenan from the Dallas Rattlers in exchange for midfielder Adam Osika. It remains to be seen if the second-year player and Penn State alum will dress for the game, but if he does, Keenan will bring an element of quickness and speed that will be a strong asset in the transition game.
On the other side of the ball, rookie defensemen Warren Jeffrey and Zac Prattson struggled against Atlanta. This could merely be blips on the radar, however, as both have had impressive starts to their careers and the two only have room to grow. Rookie Brendan Kavanagh has found success early in his MLL career and will matchup against the Bayhawks' rookie defensemen this week. The 6'3" and 210-pound Warren Jeffrey should have no problem squaring up against the 160-pound Kavanagh as he tries to frustrate the young attackman.
Chris Fennell, the third-year defenseman our of the Naval Academy, looks to return to action after his brief stint on IR.
This game should be a shootout given how successful both teams have been on offense early this season. Denver is averaging 17 goals in their last three games and has been scoring goals off the sticks of multiple players. Teams also have yet to find a way to stop Thompson, Heacock and Mariano from finding the back of the net. With these outputs, it could just become a game of which defense or goalie steps up first.
Watch the Bayhawks take on the Outlaws in Denver on July 2nd at 9:00 PM EST at Broncos Stadium at Miles High. The game can be watched live on MyTV Baltimore or on watchstadium.com or MajorLeagueLacrosse.com/Watch.
Chesapeake returns to Annapolis on July 6th at 7:00 PM for their Healthy Living Night. Tickets for this game are available at thebayhawks.com/tickets or can be purchased through the Chesapeake Bayhawks Ticket Office by calling 866-99-HAWKS or emailing sales@thebayhawks.com. Join us early for the new Lexus Tailgate, starting at 4:30 PM, featuring a live DJ, photo booth, games for kids, and complimentary Bud Light for ticket holders 21 and older.
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 Chesapeake BayHawks vs. the Denver Outlaws |
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Major League Lacrosse Stories from July 3, 2019
- Game 4 Preview: BayHawks Travel to Denver for Outlaws' Mile High Fourth of July - Chesapeake Bayhawks
- Denver Outlaws to Host 14th Annual Mile High Fourth of July Game on Thursday - Denver Outlaws
- Kavanagh, Madalon and Runberg Garner the Honors This Week - MLL
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