MLL Chesapeake Bayhawks

Game 5 Preview: Chesapeake Returns to Annapolis for Rematch against Atlanta

July 5, 2019 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Chesapeake Bayhawks News Release


Chesapeake Bayhawks vs. the Atlanta Blaze
Chesapeake Bayhawks vs. the Atlanta Blaze
(Chesapeake Bayhawks)

ANNAPOLIS, MD - This has been a big week for the Chesapeake Bayhawks with two games in the span of three days - the first coming in Denver on the Fourth of July and the second back home in Annapolis on Saturday.

Making the challenge more difficult was the fact that Chesapeake had to fly more than 3,000 miles round trip leading into their Saturday dual.

Head Coach Dave Cottle said players that needed treatment on Friday would receive it and vowed that the Bayhawks "would be ready to play" on Saturday when the Atlanta Blaze visit Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Chesapeake (2-2) came very close to stealing a huge victory on Thursday night; Denver almost never loses its traditional Fourth of July home game. Unfortunately, the Bayhawks could not hold a four-goal lead in the fourth quarter and fell 14-13 to the first place Outlaws (5-1).

"It's a 16-game schedule so I don't know why Game 5 would be a must-win situation," Cottle said, not concerned about the outlook down the road. "It's a long season and we've just got to keep improving. We've got a good team that plays hard and with a lot of pride. We'll be fine."

Coach Cottle felt Chesapeake played much better in the narrow defeat to Denver than it did during last Saturday night's home opener. The Bayhawks only committed six turnovers through three quarters and did a "nice job controlling the ball," according to Cottle.

"In the half-field offense, I thought we had possessions that were outstanding," he said.

Chesapeake improved their substitution game against Denver and several young players stepped up to play well.

Greg Danseglio, a 2016 Maryland graduate who previously played for the Dallas Rattlers and Ohio Machine, covered Denver attackman Brendan Kavanaugh and limited him to two assists. "Greg is a very smart player who looked very comfortable out there," Cottle said. Midfielder Ryan Keenan, whom the Bayhawks acquired from the Dallas Rattlers this past Tuesday, contributed a goal and an assist in his debut with the club. The 2018 Penn State graduate was originally drafted by the Ohio Machine.

"I was very impressed with Ryan Keenan. I thought he was quick, tough and aggressive," Cottle said.

Meanwhile, Brendan Bomberry is emerging as an offensive factor for the Bayhawks. Bomberry scored two goals on Thursday night and now has five on the season.

"Brendan has been fantastic so far. I think Lyle has really helped Brendan in terms of teaching him how to be a professional," Cottle said. Bomberry, a Syracuse graduate who spent time in the pre-season with the Ohio Machine and Boston Cannons, is a Native American and is close with Chesapeake attackman Lyle Thompson. Thompson himself scored five goals of his own and could have potentially score sixth if it was not waved off.

On the down side, Chesapeake committed seven turnovers in the fourth quarter, which helped Denver close the contest with a 5-0 run. The Bayhawks were beaten badly in the faceoff department, winning just 8 of 31 between CJ Costabile and Eric O'Brien.

Chesapeake was without faceoff specialist Kenny Massa, who suffered an injury after in illegal check to the head delivered by Atlanta's David Manning last Saturday night. Cottle said Massa is set to be evaluated on Friday and is hopeful that the Bryant graduate will be cleared to play in the rematch against the Blaze.

"Atlanta ran by us with the ball all night, and we cannot let that happen again," Cottle conceded. "We need to change the way we're going to play the Blaze. We need to control the ball and make them play defense more than last time. We also need to change our slide package because they riddled it."

The integration of Danseglio to the team should help the Chesapeake defensive corps fend off the Atlanta offense. Jesse Bernhardt, who was placed on the Non-Lacrosse Inactive List for the Denver game, will return for the rematch against Atlanta as well.

The Chesapeake Bayhawks return 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 Atlanta Blaze
Chesapeake Bayhawks vs. the Atlanta Blaze
   



Major League Lacrosse Stories from July 5, 2019


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