Mundorf Totals Six Points in Debut, But BayHawks Fall to Cannons
April 27, 2014 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Chesapeake Bayhawks News Release
Boston, MA - Attackman Brendan Mundorf was outstanding in his Bayhawks' debut with six points, but it wasn't enough as Chesapeake dropped its season opener, 15-9, to Boston in front of 5,232 fans at Harvard Stadium.
"It was a total team loss. Early on, we played pretty good defense and couldn't get anything going on offense. When we picked it up a bit offensively, we couldn't get enough defensive stops to make a run," Chesapeake head coach Dave Cottle said. "I thought Boston was quicker to the ball all day. We did not play with the sense of urgency that we need to have."
Mundorf scored three goals and dished off three assists to lead an offense that struggled for the opening three quarters. The 2012 Major League Lacrosse Most Valuable Player, acquired from Denver via trade, showed his playmaking ability by creating for himself and others.
"Brendan played pretty well and did some good things, but the truth is that nobody on the Bayhawks was great today," Cottle said.
Matt Mackrides, who was playing attack due to the absence of Drew Westervelt, scored two goals for Chesapeake. Midfielder Steven Brooks had a goal and an assist for the Bayhawks, who fell despite outshooting the Cannons 42-37 and winning both the ground ball (33-29) and faceoff (15-13) battles.
"Sometimes statistics lie. We got beaten pretty soundly on the scoreboard and that's all that matters," Cottle said.
Midfielder Kevin Buchanan was the real difference-maker for Boston, scoring seven goals on nine shots to earn game Most Valuable Player honors. Buchanan, a three-time All-Star, scored two power play goals and also converted in transition or off pick plays despite being covered by a long pole.
"You are not going to win many games when someone scores seven goals against you. We cannot allow guys to have those types of games," Cottle said.
Kip Turner, the starting goaltender on Chesapeake's consecutive championship teams, made four saves and gave up three goals before leaving the game after taking a hard shot to the groin. Tyler Fiorito took over between the pipes and finished with seven saves in just his second appearance for the Bayhawks.
Buchanan scored a pair of extra man goals as Boston took a 4-0 lead early in the second quarter. Chesapeake was held scoreless for almost 20 minutes to start the game with Mundorf finally breaking the drought with an unassisted goal at the 10:10 mark of the second period.
Mundorf would tally two goals and an assist while midfielder Stephen Peyser contributed two assists in the second stanza and Chesapeake trailed 9-4 at halftime. Midfielder Ben Hunt scored off a feed from Mundorf just 56 seconds into the third quarter as the Bayhawks cut the deficit to four, but the Cannons responded with a 5-0 run that made it 14-5 early in the fourth frame. Midfielder Paul Rabil scored a goal and dished off two assists during the decisive stretch.
Mundorf and Brooks had a goal and assist apiece as Chesapeake scored four straight goals to get back within five late in the fourth period, but it was a case of too little, too late.
Adam Rand won eight faceoffs for Chesapeake, which will play its home opener next Saturday (7 p.m.) against the New York Lizards at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Defensive midfielders Brian Megill and Jeff Reynolds scooped five and four ground balls, respectively, for the Bayhawks.
"We need to play with a greater sense of urgency, we need to play with more speed and we need more production out of our midfield," said Cottle, noting that Chesapeake got just two goals from its offensive middies.
The Bayhawks 2014 Season Tickets are now available and can be purchased over the phone by calling the box office 866-99-HAWKS (42957). Visit us at www.thebayhawks.com for the full schedule. This season, the Bayhawks and Lexus are giving away an ES350 to one lucky Season Ticket Holder at the last game of the season. Every Season Ticket purchased will amount to one entry into the giveaway.
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Major League Lacrosse Stories from April 27, 2014
- Mundorf Totals Six Points in Debut, But BayHawks Fall to Cannons - Chesapeake Bayhawks
- Schwartzman Sets Single-Game Saves Mark in Outlaws' Week 1 Win - Denver Outlaws
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