Machine fall short in overtime thriller, 16-15
August 12, 2006 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Chicago Machine News Release
San Francisco, CA - The Chicago Machine fought bravely for sixty six minutes and forty-one seconds but failed to slay the San Francisco Dragons, ending their inaugural season without a victory, a first for Major League Lacrosse.
San Francisco (7-5) scored a dramatic come from behind victory against the Chicago Machine (0-12), 16-15, Saturday, August 12th, at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco.
San Francsico Dragon Kyle Dowd scored the game winner with 3:19 left to play in a ten minute sudden death fifth period.
The game started slowly with the teams trading goals and sparring, the first quarter ending with the score tied 3 - 3.
The Machine got in gear early in the second quarter as Sean Morris scored two goals before five minutes had clicked off the clock. Doug Shanahan netted a two pointer at the ten minute mark while the Machine was man-up, the ball blasting through goalie Alex Cade's stick.
Joe Yevolli of the Dragons answered with a man-up goal with 3:45 to play and Jarrett Park scored with 23 seconds left in the second quarter, the half finishing with the Machine leading 7 - 5.
San Francisco mid-fielder Nate Watkins scored the first goal of the second half closing the lead to one, but the Machine was just beginning to get their engine in a higher gear as Doug Shanahan, Brad Heritage and Kevin Leveille scored the next three goals. The Dragons interrupted the Machine run with a goal by attackman Matt Alrich with just over three minutes left to play in the third quarter but the Machine rolled for three more goals in the last minute of play to end the third with a score of 13 - 7.
Brad Heritage padded the Machine lead with grinding run to the goal giving the Machine their biggest lead of the game, 14 - 7. It looked like the Machine would slay the Purple Dragon and get their first victory, but the Dragons fire was not yet extinguished.
On the ensuing face off the Dragons roared to life with a two point goal by mid-fielder Tim Booth. The next five minutes saw the Dragons fire melt the Machine as San Francisco closed the gap with goals by Chris Rotelli, Nate Watkins and a two-pointer by Matt Alrich.
The Machine looked to be breaking down but Sean Morris answered the Dragon onslaught with a great shot assisted by Dan Paccione with 4:33 left to play in the game.
The Dragons had enough fire left to bring the Machine to a halt as Chris Rotelli scored at the four minute mark and Brad Reppert's goal at point blank range tied the game with just 1:04 left to play. Reppert's goal was assisted by Ryan Powell who had gone 59 minutes with out a point as Machine rookie Michael Culver covered the Dragons All-Star Powell like a blanket of fog over Kezar Stadium.
The over-time saw a blitzkrieg of shots by the Dragons, all but one defended in spectacular fashion by Machine Goalie, Mike Gabel.
The Chicago Machine season ground to a halt at the 3:19 mark of the fifth period with a final score, Dragons 16 - Machine 15.
The game can be seen on ESPN2, Tuesday at 4:00pm Central Time.
The 2006 New Balance Major League Lacrosse semi-final games will be held at 5:30 PM PT and 8:00 PM PT on Friday, August 25. The two semi-final winners will advance to the New Balance Championship Game on Sunday, August 27. The Championship Game will air live on ESPN2 with the time to be determined later.
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Major League Lacrosse Stories from August 12, 2006
- L.A. Riptide's Inaugural Season Comes To End With 13-9 Loss To Denver - Los Angeles Riptide
- Ryan Boyle Leads Philadelphia Barrage to 20-12 Win Over Baltimore - Chesapeake Bayhawks
- Lizards Wrap up Season with Dramatic OT Win - New York Lizards
- Rochester Knocks Off Cannons in Season Finale - Boston Cannons
- Pride fall in Overtime- end season at 5-7 and miss playoffs - New Jersey Pride
- Barrage Top Bayhawks 20-12, Clinch Conference Title - Philadelphia Barrage
- Machine fall short in overtime thriller, 16-15 - Chicago Machine
- L.A. Riptide One Win Away From MLL Playoffs - Los Angeles Riptide
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