Major League Lacrosse Announces Week 12 Award Winners
August 9, 2010 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL) News Release
Boston, MA - Major League Lacrosse (MLL), the premier professional outdoor lacrosse league, has announced its weekly award winners following this past weekend's action. The Offensive Player of the Week was Denver attackman Brendan Mundorf, the Defensive Player of the Week was Long Island defenseman Brian Spallina and the Rookie of the Week was Chesapeake midfielder Michael Kimmel.
Mundorf took home the offensive honors for the Outlaws with his team high five points against the Chicago Machine. Mundorf scored four goals and added an assist in an 18-8 win over the Machine on Saturday. The Maryland native scored early and often as he tallied two of Denver's first three goals against Chicago. He then added one just before half and also one in the fourth quarter as the rout was on with Denver cruising to a 10 point victory.
"Brendan showed why he is one of the most dangerous players in the league. He scored in a variety of ways, off ball and dodging," said Denver general manager and head coach Brian Reese. "We played very well offensively and Brendan was a big part of that."
Spallina was the best defender of Week 12 for the Lizards as they topped the Toronto Nationals 13-7 to secure the No. 3 seed at Championship Weekend presented by Warrior. Spallina picked up two groundballs in the victory, which was the Lizards second in as many weeks against the Nationals. Spallina was given the tall task of covering two-time MVP John Grant Jr. again after holding the veteran attackman to one goal last weekend. Grant finished with two goals, but Spallina made him work for each one and frustrated him to no end and forced a few sloppy turnovers from the attackman. The Lizards longstick got under Grant's skin so much so that at one point he was seen tossing his helmet to the ground in frustration.
"Brian's play this week was outstanding. He always seems to match up well versus Grant. Brian is one of the top shut down defenseman," said Lizards general manager Casey Hilpert. "He may not score goals or get the catchy stats that get other defensemen noticed, but we have confidence that he can go out there and shut down any attackman we need him to."
Kimmel was the top rookie of Week 12 after his two goal performance in a 16-15 overtime win over the Boston Cannons. Kimmel's night was highlighted by his second goal which was the game winner, just 1:29 into OT.
"I think Michael came into his own Saturday night," said Bayhawks head coach Brendan Kelly. "When the game was on the line I put the ball in his stick, gave him a chance to really step up as a rookie and win the game for us and he did. I'm very proud of Michael I think he played with a tremendous amount of poise."
The former John Hopkins middie and second overall pick by the Bayhawks in this year's Collegiate Draft has had an impressive rookie campaign, notching seven goals and five assists for a total of 12 points on the year. Kimmel's game winner against Boston was an unassisted goal and gave the Bayhawks some momentum as they wait to face the Cannons in a rematch in the semi-finals at Championship Weekend.
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Major League Lacrosse Stories from August 9, 2010
- Lizards End Regular Season with 7-5 Record - New York Lizards
- Major League Lacrosse Announces Week 12 Award Winners - MLL
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