Hounds Beat Rattlers 14-11 After Rain Delay, Improve to 2-0
April 30, 2016 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Charlotte Hounds News Release
Charlotte Hounds vs. the Rochester Rattlers
(Charlotte Hounds)
CHARLOTTE, NC - The Charlotte Hounds on Saturday night beat the visiting Rochester Rattlers 14-11 at rain-soaked American Legion Memorial Stadium. It marks the second straight victory for the Hounds, who are now 2-0 for the first time in team history. Mike Sawyer was named Coca-Cola Player of the Game for his four-point (3g, 1a) performance., while the Rattlers were lead by Jordan Wolf with three goals.
Both teams struggled to find their groove early in the game due to wet and slippery field conditions from on and off rain showers prior to faceoff. The Rattlers found the back of the net first, after 5:30 of play, as Wolf worked his way around the cage and shot low to beat Hounds starting goalie Charlie Cipriano. Three minutes later, Mike Chanenchuk snuck a low shot past Rattlers goalie Joe Banno to tie the game at 1-1.
Mike Sawyer then recorded back-to-back goals, giving the home team a 3-1 advantage. Rochester got one back, as Jack Near beat Cipriano in close. But the Hounds closed out the first quarter with three straight goals, including two from Joey Sankey and the third of the night from Sawyer, to extend their lead to 6-2.
Heavy rain and lightning in the area delayed the second quarter by almost two hours. Once the game finally got back underway, the Hounds were able to strike first. Sankey found Kevin Cunningham and the home team went up 7-2. Wolf responded for the Rattlers with his second of the night to cut the lead back down to four. But Cunningham struck again and Micheal Ehrhardt added another to extend the Hounds lead to 9-3. The teams then traded goals to close out the first half with the Hounds ahead 10-5.
The Hounds extended their lead to 13-5 with three-straight goals to open the third quarter, including the third of the night for Cunningham. The Rattlers got one back from Kyle Denhoff before Chanenchuk tallied his second of the night to close the quarter with the Hounds in front 14-6.
The Rattlers found their momentum in the fourth quarter, scoring four straight goals, including a two-pointer from Kyle VanThof to pull back within three at 14-11. The Hounds went scoreless for almost 17 minutes but held on for the victory.
The Hounds (2-0) are on a bye next weekend and will return home on Saturday, May 14, to face the Florida Launch (0-2) at American Legion Memorial Stadium. It will be the third and final game in the Hounds' opening season home stand before a two-game road swing. Faceoff is scheduled for 7:30pm.
Images from this story
 Charlotte Hounds vs. the Rochester Rattlers |
Major League Lacrosse Stories from April 30, 2016
- Hounds Beat Rattlers 14-11 After Rain Delay, Improve to 2-0 - Charlotte Hounds
- Florida Launch Fall 12-8 at Chesapeake in First Road Game - Florida Launch
- Cannons edge Blaze in hard fought battle - Atlanta Blaze
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