Hounds vs. BayHawks Game Preview
May 2, 2018 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Charlotte Hounds News Release
The Hounds host the Chesapeake Bayhawks at Memorial Stadium on Thursday night in the final game of the early three-game home stand. The matchup marks the first of two games the Hounds will play in three days. Last season, the Hounds squared off with the Bayhawks twice and split the series 1-1, with each game decided by one goal.
LAST TIME OUT
The Hounds improved to 2-0 with a win over the Dallas Rattlers in their last time out. Despite only scoring two goals in the fourth quarter, the Hounds defense held off the Rattlers' late-game offensive onslaught to prevail, 13-12. The win marked just the second time in franchise history that Charlotte has started the season 2-0. It was another highlight-ridden night for goalie Charlie Cipriano, who totaled 20 saves including eight in the fourth quarter. Midweek signing Dylan Maltz led the Hounds with four goals, three of which were assisted by former college teammate Matt Rambo.
SUPER CIPRIANO
Charlie Cipriano continues to stand tall between the pipes. The veteran goalie currently leads Major League Lacrosse in nearly every statistical category. After the Hounds win over the Rattlers on Saturday, Cipriano and Charlotte became the only two-game unbeaten team in the league. Cipriano leads MLL in save percentage (.652) and goals against average (9.14). The goalie has stopped 30 shots thus far, two less than the league leader and has yet to give up a two-point goal.
SCOUTING THE BAYHAWKS
The Bayhawks notched their first tally in the win column last weekend after topping the Launch, 14-11. Faceoff specialist Stephen Kelly continues his dominance from the X this season. Against the Launch, the 2017 sixth-round draft pick won 20 of 26 faceoffs to give Chesapeake a massive advantage in the possession battle. Head coach Dave Cottle heralded Kelly's performance as "the difference in the game." Kelly currently leads MLL in faceoff win percentage at 70 percent. However, offensively the Bayhawks have yet to hit their stride. Through two games the Bayhawks have averaged the second-lowest goals per game average in the league and are one of four teams that have yet to score from behind the arc.
PARKING ADVISORY
The CPCC Parking Deck at E. 7th Street and Charlottetowne Avenue has been closed for renovations. Please consider parking at the alternate parking deck on the corner of Charlottetowne Avenue and East Fourth Street until further notice.
The surface lots at the corner of N. Kings Drive and East 7th Street will be open for parking and tailgating, but note, these lots fill up quickly. Parking lots will open at 3 p.m.
Parking remains $5.00/car.
Box Office/Will Call opens at 5 p.m. Gates open at 6 p.m. Game starts at 7:30 p.m.
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