Merrill and Queener Named to Skills Competition
July 12, 2013 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Hamilton Nationals News Release
Hamilton Nationals fans will have a chance to watch five of their players at this Saturday's Major League Lacrosse All-Star Game presented by Moe's Southwest Grill. Kevin Crowley, Joe Walters, Brodie Merrill, Brett Queener and Kevin Cunningham will represent the Nationals at the event in Charlotte. The 7:00 p.m. game at American Legion Memorial Stadium will be broadcast live on ESPN2.
Hamilton enters the All-Star Break in second place in the MLL with a 7-3 record, and is on the cusp of securing a playoff berth. Crowley has powered the offense with 29 goals and 41 points, which are second and third in the league, respectively. The third-year pro will make his first All-Star Game appearance on Saturday.
"It's an honor to be considered an All-Star in this league," he said. "I like the different format this year with the coaches and general managers picking the team rather than the fans because it becomes less of a popularity contest and more on-field oriented."
Walters is making the sixth All-Star appearance of his career. The midfielder is second on the Nationals with 33 points and leads the MLL with 18 assists. Teammate Kevin Cunningham is second in assists with 17. Cunningham will make his All-Star debut in his rookie season. The Villanova product is third on the team with 23 points.
Queener will appear in the All-Star Game for the fourth time in his career. The Nationals goalie is 5-2 this season and leads the league with a .615 save percentage. Queener is also third in the MLL with an 11.21 goals-against average. The MLL veteran will also participate in the MLL Skills Competition, which will be held at halftime of the MLL All-Star Game.
Queener will try for a third Freestyle Competition title, as he returns as the 2009 and 2012 champion. The event combines creativity and athleticism with each competitor attempting to score a goal in the most entertaining way possible. Queener will take on challengers Kevin Buchanan (Boston), Mike Stone (Boston) and Rob Pannell (New York).
Merrill, who is making his eighth All-Star Game appearance, will also take part in a skills event. The six-time MLL Warrior Defensive Player of the Year will compete in the Long Distance Accuracy Competition. The first-year event features players attempting to throw the ball into the net from all across the field. Denver's Chris Bocklet, Charlotte's Ryan Flanagan, and Chesapeake's Kip Turner will also battle for the Long Distance Accuracy crown.
Last Sunday, Merrill hit his 100th game milestone. In his 100 MLL games, he has 115 points (40+3+72) and 685 ground balls, which is an MLL record. So far this season, he has seven points and 65 ground balls.
Hamilton is back in action on Saturday, July 20th when it hosts the Ohio Machine at 7:30 p.m. For tickets go to www.nationalslacrosse.com or call the Nationals Ticket Office at (905) 525-NATS.
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Major League Lacrosse Stories from July 12, 2013
- Merrill and Queener Named to Skills Competition - Hamilton Nationals
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