Los Angeles Riptide weekly update

June 21, 2006 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Los Angeles Riptide News Release


L.A. RIPTIDE TO FACE CHICAGO MACHINE, SATURDAY, JUNE 24: The Los Angeles Riptide takes to the road to play the second half of a home-and-home series at the Chicago Machine on Saturday, June 24 at the Sports Complex of Benedictine University. Having earned its first victory of the season last week against the Machine at the Home Depot Center, the Riptide is looking to follow up with another strong performance. This is the first game of a two-game road trip, which concludes the following week against the Denver Outlaws.

FINALLY A WIN: The Riptide was finally able to break through with the first win of its inaugural season on June 17 against the Chicago Machine. The 17-6 victory finally showed the team's ability to get through with some goals. Los Angeles also played the strongest defensive game of the season, managing to hold Chicago to only six goals, the least amount of goals that the Riptide has allowed an opponent so far. The Riptide saw scoring from eight different players in a strong offensive performance.

A CONFERENCE OPPONENT, A CONFERENCE WIN: For the first time this season, the Riptide faced a team in its conference last week when it played the first half of a home-and-home series against the Chicago Machine at the Home Depot Center. The result was positive, ending in the Riptide's first franchise victory, a 17-6 decision. It was the first chance for the Riptide to take on a fellow expansion team from the Western Conference, as its first three games of the season were against Eastern Conference foes. With the victory, the Riptide left the Machine (0-5) as the only remaining winless team in MLL.

DOUGHERTY NAMED BUD LIGHT MVP: Kevin Dougherty played the strongest game of his Riptide career on Saturday against the Machine, earning him Bud Light MVP honors. Dougherty led the team with five goals, one of which was the Riptide's first two-point goal of the season, and two assists. Dougherty had been having trouble getting the ball on net in the first three games of the season, but he seemed to rectify that against Chicago.

WESTERN CONFERENCE THE REST OF THE WAY: Since the Riptide played its first three games against the Eastern Conference, the team looks forward to playing against Western Conference opponents for the rest of the season. That could help the Riptide's chances of making the playoffs, despite early struggles. All of the other teams in the Western Conference have at least one game remaining against teams in the East. The Western Conference games began well as the Riptide earned its first victory in its first in-Conference match last week.

COMBS MAKES DEBUT FOR RIPTIDE: On June 13, 2006, in an attempt to bolster its offense, the Riptide acquired attackman Andrew "Buggs" Combs from the Rochester Rattlers. The 28-year-old Combs debuted for the Riptide that Saturday against the Chicago Machine and paid early dividends. In the 17-6 victory, Combs contributed with two goals, one of which was the game-winning goal. Combs fit in very well with fellow attackmen Brian Nee and Michael Watson and helped provide an offensive spark.

NEE HEADS SCORING: Riptide attackman Brian Nee continues to take the offensive lead for the team. Last week, against Chicago, he added two more goals to his totals, keeping him in the team scoring lead with 14 points (10 goals, 4 assists). Nee has scored at least two goals in each of the four games this season.

LINDSAY LEADS MIDFIELDERS: Midfielder Sean Lindsay continues to lead all Riptide midfielders in scoring with 11 points (7 goals, 4 assists), having added two more goals in last week's contest against Chicago. He is also second 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 subsequent game.

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.

DRISCOLL CONTINUES TO PLAY WELL: In its first-ever Major League Lacrosse (MLL) Collegiate Draft on May 31, the Riptide selected Notre Dame defenseman D.J. Driscoll. Driscoll picked up his first MLL assist last week against Chicago on the game-winning goal scored by newcomer Andrew Combs. In his first two games for the Riptide, against Boston and Chicago, Driscoll has played strong defense and picked up four ground balls. Driscoll, the Great West Defensive Player of the Year in 2006, was selected with the first pick of the second round of the draft.

RIPTIDE ESTABLISHES STIX 4 KIDS PROGRAM: The L.A. Riptide remains committed to its mission to establish a leadership role in the growth and development of Southern California lacrosse. In furthering that mission, the team has established STIX 4 KIDS. The program provides the opportunity for individuals and corporations to provide Riptide game tickets and/or team-sponsored teaching clinics to local non-profit organizations that benefit inner city, at-risk and disadvantaged children. For more information, send an email to info@lariptide.com.

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.



Major League Lacrosse Stories from June 21, 2006


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