MLL Week Four Preview
June 21, 2019 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL) News Release
Boston, MA - Week Four means the Major League Lacrosse season has hit the quarter mark. Teams such as the Boston Cannons and Chesapeake Bayhawks came flying out of the gate, while the New York Lizards and Dallas Rattlers have yet to find their stride. Week Four presents yet another opportunity for teams to either continue or change the narrative.
Dallas Rattlers Vs. Atlanta Blaze:
Week Four begins Friday night as the Dallas Rattlers take on the Atlanta Blaze under the lights at Grady Stadium. The Blaze sit at 1-1 after splitting their first two games against the Denver Outlaws, while the Rattlers sit at 0-2 with their most recent loss coming at the hands of the Boston Cannons.
Keys to the Game:
Dallas Rattlers: Complete 60 Minute Effort
If the Rattlers want to avoid an 0-3 start, they will need to put together a complete 60 minute effort for the first time this season. In the Rattlers opener against the Bayhawks, Dallas was up 7-5 at halftime before being outscored in the second half 9-4. The Rattlers would lose the game 14-11. In Game Two against the Boston Cannons, the Rattlers struggled in the opening half going down 9-0 by the 9:36 mark of the second quarter. The Rattlers will need battle for the full 60 minutes if they want to beat the Blaze this weekend.
Atlanta Blaze: Dominant Dynamic Duo
Tommy Palasek and Shayne Jackson have been as good as it gets in Atlanta's opening two games. The two have combined for 13 goals in two games. That is the most by any set of teammates in Major League Lacrosse this season. The Blaze will once again need good performances from Palasek and Jackson to improve to 2-1 on the season.
Note: The game pits Marquette University teammates Ryan McNamara (Rattlers) and Liam Byrnes (Blaze) against one another. The former Golden Eagles were teammates from 2014-2016 and helped put Marquette Lacrosse on the map.
New York Lizards Vs. Boston Cannons
The second game of the weekend pits the New York Lizards against the Boston Cannons. The Cannons are off to a fast start at 2-0, while the Lizards are off to a frustrating start at 0-3.
Keys to The Game:
New York Lizards: Play Better Defensively
During the Lizards 0-3 start, they have given up 39 goals, tied for the most goals allowed of any team in the league. Goalie Austin Kaut is off to a solid start with the third best save percentage in MLL (49.3%), but the Lizards are simply allowing way to many shots on goal. The Lizards need to sure things up on the back end to get their first win of the season.
Boston Cannons: Feed Mark Cockerton
Mark Cockerton is off to a historic start for the Cannons. His eight goals are second in MLL, only Lyle Thompson has more with nine. When Mark Cockerton has the ball, good things happen. The Cannons should continue to feed their explosive attackman.
Note: The Lizards and Cannons faced off on June 1st at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Quincy. The Cannons won that game 13-12 behind six goals from Mark Cockerton.
Major League Lacrosse Stories from June 21, 2019
- Rattlers Comeback Bid Falls Short in Atlanta - Dallas Rattlers
- MLL Week Four Preview - MLL
- MLL Week Three: Inside the Numbers - MLL
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