Nationals Earn Record Eighth Win
Published on July 20, 2013 under Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Hamilton Nationals News Release
The Hamilton Nationals defeated the Ohio Machine 13-12 tonight at Ron Joyce Stadium to earn their record eighth victory of the season. The Nats (8-3) remained in second place in Major League Lacrosse after the home win and moved one step closer to locking up a playoff berth.
"We talked about it being a playoff game. I pride myself on taking it up notch in the playoffs," said Hamilton's Cody Jamieson. I think hard work rubs off, and if they see me going hard they will go hard."
Joe Walters (3+3) and Jamieson (2+4) led the Nationals with six points apiece. It was only fitting then that the Nationals' goal at 8:48 of the fourth helped both players reach career milestones. Jamieson's second marker of the night gave him a career-best six points, and was set up on Walters' 100th career pro assist.
"I have played with so many great players (in my career)," said Walters, who is in his seventh MLL season. "It's so awesome to play with such talented players who are so skilled offensively and can bury the ball."
Jamieson's first goal of the game might not have set a record, but it certainly will be one long remembered by Nationals fans. While being surrounded by three defenders, Jamieson ducked away from pressure and scored by flipping a one-handed, underhanded shot, between the legs and into the upper corner.
"You practice it in the backyard and throw it. You get to that comfort level where it's just what you do to put the ball in the net," said Jamieson.
Yet, despite the offensive heroics of two of the team's biggest stars, it took two stops from rookie goal Dillon Ward to preserve the win. The Bellarmine standout denied Chazz Woodson and Marcus Holman to give him his first career win in only his second professional start.
"Down the stretch you know they are going to be hungry. Our defense was playing pretty well, but they were still getting those looks," said Ward, who made 17 saves. "The Chazz Woodson one I tried to stay big and I got a piece of it on my hand. With Marcus Holman, I saw him winding up deep for a two-pointer, so I had to redeem myself from the shot before he had on me. I saw it all the way and made a pretty standard save."
Hamilton won for the third time in four games, but will have to wait another week to clinch due to a Charlotte victory this afternoon. With the loss, the Machine (1-10) became the first team eliminated from playoff consideration.
Hamilton opened the game with five straight goals with Walters and Martin Cahill each notching back-to-back tallies. Meanwhile, Ward shut out the Machine for nearly 20 minutes, allowing his first goal at 4:16 of the second quarter. With the score 6-1, Kevin Crowley answered Ohio's goal just 16 seconds later to give him 100 career points. It was his second goal of the quarter, which extended his team point streak to 26 games. Walters, who assisted on his first marker, also increased his point streak to 23 games.
After Crowley's goal, the Machine fell behind six points, but stormed back with five straight over a 5:30 span. The outburst was highlighted by a 4-0 run with Greg Downing, Kyle Hartzell (two goals) and Eric O'Brien scoring to reduce the deficit to two points, 7-5. Newly acquired Josh Amidon ended the Ohio run with his first as a National with 13 seconds to play in the half to give Hamilton an 8-5 edge.
The third quarter belonged to Jamieson, who set up all three Hamilton goals. His first assist of the quarter was a give-and-go to Brodie Merrill, who buried a shot past Brian Phipps at 3:05. Then just 37 seconds later, Jamieson dished to Walters for his third of the game. A cross-crease pass for an easy Kevin Cunningham goal gave the Nationals an 11-5 lead at 6:53. Rookie Logan Schuss (3+1) scored consecutive goals to complete the hat trick to cut the Hamilton lead to 11-7 after three.
The Machine kept grinding out goals in the fourth to stay close, and had a chance to pull out a road win. Downing got things started with his third of the night to make it 11-8. That's when Jamieson tallied his highlight-reel goal for a 12-8 Nats lead. Steele Stanwick and Jamieson traded goals before Holman (1+1+1) hit a two-point shot to get Ohio within two at 13-11 with just under five minutes to play. Joe Cummings made it a one-goal game with 3:35 to play, but Ward and the Hamilton defense held on for their eighth win of the season.
Huntley was pleased with the play of his young goalie, who gives the Nationals another quality starter to go along with All-Star Brett Queener.
"He is a great competitor. The kid's a winner at every level and has two Minto Cup championships in the box (game). He is just a cool customer," said Nationals Head Coach Dave Huntley. "We are lucky to have two goalies of that caliber right now."
Hamilton remains home on Saturday, July 27th to host the Boston Cannons at 7:00 p.m. For tickets go to www.nationalslacrosse.com or call the Nationals Ticket Office at (905) 525-NATS.
Major League Lacrosse Stories from July 20, 2013
- Nationals Earn Record Eighth Win - Hamilton Nationals
- Hounds Hold off Lizards to Remain in Playoff Hunt - Charlotte Hounds
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