L.A. Riptide weekly update
June 27, 2006 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Los Angeles Riptide News Release
L.A. RIPTIDE TO FACE DENVER OUTLAWS, SATURDAY, JULY 1: The Los Angeles Riptide (2-3) remains on the road to play the first half of a home-and-home series at the Denver Outlaws on Saturday, July 1 at INVESCO Field at Mile High. This is the second consecutive road game for the Riptide before it returns to the Home Depot Center on July 8. Having earned its first road victory of the season last week against the Machine, the Riptide is looking to follow up with another strong performance and even up its season record. The game can be seen on ESPN2 on Thursday, July 6 at 4:00 p.m.
A ROAD WIN: The Riptide notched the first road victory of its inaugural season on June 24 against the Chicago Machine. The 14-8 result proved that the victory against Chicago on June 17 at the Home Depot Center was not a fluke, offensively or defensively. For the second consecutive week, the defense held the opposition to eight goals or less and the offense scored at least 14. Also for the second consecutive game, the Riptide saw goals from eight different players. The last two games have been the strongest offensive and defensive performances by the team this season, showing that the team is finally finding its groove.
BRITTS DEBUTS FOR RIPTIDE: On June 24, at Chicago, Devon Britts suited up for the Riptide for the first time. In its first-ever Major League Lacrosse (MLL) Collegiate Draft on May 31, 2006, the Riptide selected Rutgers midfielder Britts in the fifth round. On June 22, Britts was activated from the Collegiate Inactive List in time for the Riptide's match against the Chicago Machine on Saturday, in which Britts did not register any points. To make room for him on the roster, the Riptide placed midfielder Todd Eichelberger on injured reserve.
WATSON LEAPS INTO THE LEAD: In the June 24 first road win of the season against Chicago, the Riptide was led on offense by veteran attackman Michael Watson. Watson exploded for his second four-goal performance of the season. In addition to his four goals, Watson also contributed three assists and scooped up three groundballs. His seven points catapulted him into the Riptide scoring lead with 17 points (12 G, 5 A), overtaking the leader in previous weeks, Brian Nee, who has 16 points (11 G, 5 A).
LINDSAY LEADS MIDFIELDERS: Midfielder Sean Lindsay picked up another two goals in last week's victory at Chicago and continues to lead all Riptide midfielders in scoring with 13 points (9 goals, 4 assists). He is also third among all Riptide players in scoring. After not scoring any points in the first game of the season, Lindsay has picked up the offense, netting at least two goals in each of the three subsequent games.
HELP FROM THE ROOKIE: Rookie D.J. Driscoll continues to help stabilize the Riptide defense. In the team's first-ever Major League Lacrosse (MLL) Collegiate Draft on May 31, the Riptide also selected Notre Dame defenseman Driscoll. Driscoll picked up his first MLL assist in the Riptide's first win on June 17 against the Chicago Machine on the game-winning goal scored by newcomer Andrew Combs. Driscoll has picked up at least two groundballs in each of his three games this season. In his first two games for the Riptide, against Boston and Chicago, Driscoll picked up two groundballs in each contest. He added three groundballs in last week's win at Chicago. Driscoll, the Great West Defensive Player of the Year in 2006, was selected with the first pick of the second round of the draft.
COMBS CONTINUES TO CONTRIBUTE: The June 13, 2006 trade in which the Riptide acquired attackman Andrew Combs from the Rochester Rattlers continues to play dividends. For the second consecutive game, Combs contributed to the offense with two goals in the Riptide's 14-8 victory at the Chicago Machine.
GOOD AGAINST THE WESTERN CONFERENCE: The Riptide faced a Western Conference opponent for the second consecutive week last Saturday, the first two games against teams from the Western Conference this season. The results have been positive, ending in the Riptide's first two franchise victories. That leaves the Riptide with a 2-0 record against teams in its conference.
WESTERN CONFERENCE THE REST OF THE WAY: Though the Riptide began the season 0-3, all of those games were against teams from the Eastern Conference. That means that the Riptide has already played its share against the East and looks forward to only playing against Western Conference opponents for the rest of the season. That could help the Riptide's chances of making the playoffs, despite those early struggles. Each of the other teams in the Western Conference has at least one game remaining against teams in the East. The Western Conference games began well with the Riptide's first two victories in the first two in-Conference matches of the season.
A TOUGH OPPONENT: When the Riptide heads into Denver this week, the team will know that it will have its work cut out for it. L.A. will not just be facing a fellow expansion team; it will be facing the best team in the Western Conference, the Denver Outlaws. The Outlaws have a record of 4-2, giving up its only two losses to the fellow expansion team San Francisco Dragons.
RIPTIDE ALL-STARS: On June 13, Riptide goalie Tillman Johnson and defenseman Dan Cocchi were named to the roster for the Fifth Major League Lacrosse All-Star Game, which matches up the best players from MLL against the best from Team USA. The game will be played on July 6, 2006 at Nickerson Field in Boston, Mass., home of the Boston Cannons. This will be the second consecutive All-Star appearance for Johnson and the first-ever appearance for Cocchi.
NEW WEBSITE FEATURES: Don't miss the two weekly columns on the Riptide's revamped website, www.lariptide.com. Each Monday, look for "Inside the Numbers," written by lacrosse analyst Nick Ammazzalorso. Ammazzalorso takes a look back at the previous game and ahead to next week's game. Each Friday, there's "Shannon's Slant," written by Inside Lacrosse Magazine Assistant Editor Geoff Shannon. Shannon brings you highlights of the past week and his slant on the week ahead, as well as in depth and personal looks at the Riptide's superstars.
2006 RIPTIDE SEASON TICKETS ON SALE: Los Angeles Riptide season tickets for 2006 are on sale. Season ticket packages for the Riptide's inaugural season at the Home Depot Center start at just $96 for adults and $80 for youth (16 & under). For more information or to reserve your seats today, call the Riptide ticket office at 1-866-4-LAX-TIX, or visit the Riptide's website at www.lariptide.com.
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