Guarantee Not Enough - Machine Comes up Short Against Riptide 14-8
July 29, 2006 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Chicago Machine News Release
On a sizzling Saturday afternoon in Chicago, the Chicago Machine was defeated by the Los Angeles Riptide in a 14-8 loss. After his proclamation just days ago guaranteeing the Machine' first win of the season, Michael Culver was proven wrong and will be contributing half of his season salary to The Children's Heart Foundation. There were a number of representatives from The Children's Heart Foundation present at the game, including Jane Keenan of Chicago-a two-year old girl who was born with a severe congenital heart defect. Culver's donation will help fund research for the advancement of treatment, diagnosis, and prevention of congenital heart defects.
At the start of the game, Machine midfielder Chris Malone brought in the first goal of the game while Dan Flannery followed soon after with a power play shot assisted by fellow attackman Sean Morris. The Riptide tied the game in one fell swoop, due to a two-point, power play goal by midfielder Sean Lindsay. The Machine fought back with a goal by Kevin Leveille, after an assist from Morris.
The second quarter was marked by both teams trading goals, and the Machine attacking the net well despite the relentless heat. Leveille picked up where he left off early in the quarter with a close shot on Los Angles goalie Tillman Johnson. The Riptide struck back quickly to tie the game again with back to back goals, but the Machine regained the lead thanks to midfielder Zach Heffner's first professional two-point goal. While both teams were down a man because of offsetting penalties, Lindsay's second goal cut the Machine lead down to one. The Riptide knotted the game up again with just 40 seconds in the half on shot by Andrew Combs that just barely rolled by Machine goalie Mike Gabel.
Unfortunately, it looked like the heat caught up with the Machine, as the second half belonged to the Riptide. Los Angeles outscored the Machine 8-2, starting with four straight goals in the third. Combs continued his hot hand, scoring the first and fourth goals during the third quarter, while Lindsay and Michael Watson chipped in with the other goals. The Machine got back into the action, though, with Jake Deane's first professional goal on a fast break down the field.
Gabel's tough play in goal kept the Machine in the game, but eventually they succumbed to another Riptide run on goal. Chicago midfielder Dan Paccione made the only Chicago goal in the fourth quarter while Dougherty scored two goals for the Riptide and Gill made the last goal of the game with a minute-thirty to go. Riptide goalie Tillman Johnson was named the Bud Light MVP of the game.
"We got to a good start in the first half, but L.A. got off to the quick start in the second, and we couldn't recover," said Machine head coach Kevin Finneran. "It's frustrating because we're better than we're showing. We're only playing half a game here, three-quarters of a game there."
The Machine plays their next game against the Denver Outlaws next weekend at Benedictine University at 2:00 PM on Saturday, August 5.
For more information about the Chicago Machine, visit www.chicagomachine.com.
To make a donation to The Children's Heart Foundation, visit www.childrensheartfoundation.org.
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Major League Lacrosse Stories from July 29, 2006
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- Guarantee Not Enough - Machine Comes up Short Against Riptide 14-8 - Chicago Machine
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