MLL Week Five in Review
Published on June 22, 2004 under Major League Lacrosse (MLL) News Release
MLL Offensive Player of the Week
Gary Gait (BAL), A/M, 6'2", 215
The Philadelphia Barrage were poised to win for the fi rst time in their new homeâwere it not for Gait's four goals and three assists. Gait staked the Bayhawks to a 7-2 fi rst quarter lead with a pair of goals, keyed a Baltimore comeback with a goal and two assists early in the fourth quarter, then won the game with one of his patented one-handed shots 1:44 into overtime. During the contest, the Bayhawks player-coach became the fi fth player in MLL history to reach the 100-goal plateau and just the third to score multiple overtime game winning goals.
MLL Co-Defensive Player of the Week
Tillman Johnson (ROC), G, 6'1", 200
Two games into his professional career, Johnson is already in the record books. After making 22 saves to win his pro debut in Week Four, Johnson set a new MLL single-game record with 31 saves against the Pride. He was especially solid when it counted, stopping 17 shots in the second half as New Jersey attempted a comeback.
MLL Co-Defensive Player of the Week
Brian Dougherty (LI), G, 6'1", 200
The Lizards avenged a pair of early-season losses on the strength of the 2003 MLL Goalie of the Year. Dougherty, who lost his composure in the two prior defeats, kept his cool to the tune of 31 saves, tying Tillman Johnson's day-old MLL single-game record. When Boston peppered the Long Island goal during a fourth-quarter surge, Dougherty made 11 saves to seal the victory.
Cascade MLL Rookie of the Week
Ryan Boyle (PHI), A, 5'11", 180
After just one practice with his new teammates, Boyle made MLL opponents aware of why he was a two-time Tewaaraton Trophy fi nalist and four-time All-American. Less than nine minutes into his debut, Boyle fed Roy Colsey to earn his fi rst professional assist. He added his fi rst goal 35 seconds into the second quarter, and fi nished with a hat trick and a pair of assists.
Baltimore Bayhawks
Week Five News Makers
Gary Gait 7 points (4G, 3A)
Jeff Sonke 7 points (3G, 2 2-Pt. G, 2A)
Baltimore jumped out to a 7-2 fi rst quarter lead, only to see it evaporate into a 10-9 halftime defi cit. Down 14-11 entering the fourth frame, Gait and Sonke keyed a Bayhawks rally. Gait registered a goal and two assists in the fi nal frame, and Sonke scored twice, including the game-tying two-point goal with 1:04 remaining in the game. A one-handed shot by Gait won it 1:44 into overtime
⢠The win improved Baltimore's road record to 3-0, as compared to an 0-2 home mark. The Bayhawks average 21.7 points per game on the road, but a mere 16.5 points per game at home.
Boston Cannons
Week Five News Makers
Conor Gill 7 points (2G, 5A)
David Evans 4 goals
Three wins over the defending champs in fi ve weeks was too much to ask for the Cannons, who missed a chance at their fi rst-ever regular season sweep of the Lizards. Gill registered an assist in each quarter and a goal in each half, but a 9-5 fi rst quarter defi cit proved too much to overcome. Evans scored three of his four goals in the fourth quarter as a Cannons rally fell short.
⢠The Cannons scored three power play goals on eight chances, bringing their league-leading total to 14 power play goals on the season.
Long Island Lizards
Week Five News Makers
Brian Dougherty record-tying 31 saves
Jay Jalbert 7 points (4G, 2 2-Pt. G, 1A)
The Lizards avoided a regular-season sweep at the hands of the Cannons on the strength of Brian Dougherty's record-tying 31 saves. Jalbert led the charge, scoring a pair of two-pointers in less than four minutes on the way to a 9-5 fi rst quarter lead. Jalbert scored thirteen seconds into the second half to retain the momentum, and Tim Goettelmann added a pair of third quarter goals to open up a commanding 18-12 lead.
⢠As expected, the growing rivalry was evident in the form of chippy play. The two teams combined for 16 penalties, more than any other game this season.
New Jersey Pride
Week Five News Makers
David Curry 6 points (4G, 1 2-Pt. G, 1A)
Jesse Hubbard 2 goals
New Jersey jumped out to leads of 1-0 and 2-1, but Rochester's strong goaltending and steady attack wore down the visiting Pride. Curry tried to singlehandedly lead New Jersey back from a 12-6 halftime defi cit, scoring four of the Pride's fi ve second-half points. Goalie Shane Twomey played admirably in a relief effort, making 11 second-half saves and holding Rochester to fi ve goals in the fi nal thirty minutes.
⢠Playing for the fi rst time against his former team, 2003 Cascade Rookie of the Year Adam Doneger was held to just one goal on the night.
Philadelphia Barrage
Week Five News Makers
Greg Cattrano record-tying 31 saves
Blake Miller 6 points (4G, 2A)
The good news is that Cattrano was the third goalie to record 31 saves in Week Five, sharing a new single-game record. The bad news is that Philly was unable to hold on to a late lead and lost the MLL's fi rst overtime game this season, 19-18. Miller's four goals all came in the second quarter as the Barrage entered halftime ahead for just the second time this year.
⢠The arrival of Ryan Boyle, who was named Cascade Rookie of the Week in his debut, put a squeeze on the team's attack. To make room for Boyle, Liam Banks, the Barrage's third leading scorer entering the game, did not play on Saturday.
Rochester Rattlers
Week Five News Makers
Tillman Johnson record-setting 31 saves
Casey Powell 6 points (3G, 3A)
The Rattlers have been known for a devastating offense, but Johnson is quickly making opponents forget about the Powells and their cohorts. Johnson erased Bill Daye's three-year-old singlegame saves record by stopping 31 shots en route to his second win in as many pro games. Casey Powell led all scorers in the game with six points.
⢠Through two games, Johnson boasts a goals against average of 10.5 and a save percentage of 71.6%. By comparison, the rest of the league's goalies combine for a 16.5 goals against average and a 53.2 save percentage.
Major League Lacrosse Stories from June 22, 2004
- Gary Gait Named Offensive Player of the Week - Chesapeake Bayhawks
- MLL Week Five in Review - MLL
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