Nationals Bidding for Single-season Wins Record
July 12, 2011 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Hamilton Nationals News Release
(Hamilton, July 12)... The Hamilton Nationals can set their franchise record for consecutive wins with a victory over the Chesapeake Bayhawks on Saturday, July 16th. The Nationals have won three straight to move into a tie for third place in Major League Lacrosse with the Bayhawks. The 7:00 p.m. contest at McMaster University's Ron Joyce Stadium will be broadcast live on ESPN3.com.
Head-to-Head: Hamilton is 4-3 lifetime against the Bayhawks. The game is the second of three meetings this season between the two teams. Chesapeake won the first game 14-10 back on May 19th.
Hamilton Notes: The Nationals are riding a three-game winning streak after stringing together consecutive wins over Rochester and their most convincing victory of the season, a 15-9 win over Long Island, on July 1st. Joe Walters has been on fire lately with 19 points during the win streak (7+1+11). The Nationals' midfielder has moved into fourth place on the MLL's point list with 27. Rookie Kevin Crowley had his best game as a pro, scoring four goals and adding two assists. Goalie Scott Rodgers is riding a two-game winning streak. Brodie Merrill leads all MLL defensemen with nine points (3+1+5) and is tops in the league with 45 ground balls. Jeremy Boltus leads all MLL rookies with 19 points (14+5). He is six goals away from moving into the MLL Top 10 all-time in rookie single-season tallies. He trails Mike Springer (Bridgeport - 2003) and Conor Gill (Boston - 2003). Kevin Huntley has the record with 30 (LA - 2008).
On Canadian soil: The Nationals have won their last two home games to even their record at Ron Joyce Stadium to 2-2. Hamilton is in the midst of a three-game homestand that ends this Saturday. Brodie racing to 500: Nationals defenseman Brodie Merrill has 492 ground balls and needs just eight to become only the second player in MLL history to reach the 500 mark. Merrill is second in league history to Paul Cantabene (538).
All-Star performers: National goalie Joe Marra, faceoff man Geoff Snider, midfielder Joe Walters and defenseman Brodie Merrill participated in the 2011 Sports Authority MLL All-Star Game at Harvard Stadium on Saturday.
Presidential reception: Hamilton's Jeremy Thompson and Brett Bucktooth (Onondaga Nation), and Chesapeake's Danny Glading were among those invited to the White House for its "Let's Move! in Indian Country." The event on Monday was aimed at encouraging youth to exercise and lead healthy lifestyles.
Bayhawks Notes: Chesapeake ended its two-game losing streak on July 2nd as rookie goalie Brian Phipps made 21 saves in a 13-11 win over Rochester. Attackman Danny Glading leads the Bayhawks with 22 points this season (13+9). For his effort, the University of Maryland product was named the MLL Defensive Player of the Week. The Bayhawks had a league-high 10 players selected to the MLL All-Star Game. Michael Kimmel set an All-Star Game record with nine points en route to Game MVP honors. In the Skills Competition, defenseman Kyle Hartzell won the fastest shot event. Chesapeake Bayhawks Head Coach Brendan Kelly made his first appearance in the All-Star Game.
Next Game: The Nationals travel to play the Boston Cannons on Saturday, July 23rd
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