Nationals Look to Clinch Playoff Birth Saturday
July 18, 2013 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Hamilton Nationals News Release
The Hamilton Nationals begin a two-game homestand on Saturday, July 20th when they host the Ohio Machine at 7:30 p.m. The Nationals can secure the third playoff berth in the team's history with a win and a Charlotte loss and a Rochester loss. For tickets go to www.nationalslacrosse.com or call the Nationals Ticket Office at (905) 525-NATS.
Scouting the Nationals: The Hamilton Nationals can set their single-season record for wins with a victory Saturday. The Nats earned their seventh victory of the 2013 campaign on July 7th, defeating the Rochester Rattlers 10-6 at Sahlen's Stadium. The Nationals were led by a five-point performance from Kevin Crowley in the road win. Goalie Brett Queener made 16 saves and tied the team record for least amount of goals allowed in a game with six, as he held Rochester to single goals in the second and fourth, and two goals in the first and third quarters. Crowley extended his point streak to 25 games as he notched two goals and three assists. He also eclipsed the 40-point plateau for the first time in his MLL career. He stands two points away from 100. Joe Walters (2+1) increased his point streak to 22 games on a third-quarter assist to Garrett Thul (1+1+0), who scored the first two-point goal of his career. Brodie Merrill also reached a milestone, playing in his 100th MLL game.
Nationals among MLL leaders: Heading into the week, Crowley (29+1+8) is second in the MLL in goals and third in points (41). Walters leads the MLL in assists (18) and is seventh in points (33). Kevin Cunningham is second with 17 assists. Goalie Brett Queener leads the league with a .615 save percentage and is third in the MLL with an 11.21 goals-against average. Brodie Merrill ranks fourth in the MLL with 65 ground balls.
Walters makes Top 10: The Hamilton Nationals midfielder's goal in the second quarter was selected as No. 9 on ESPN SportsCenter's Top 10 Plays.
Nats shine in All-Star Game: Hamilton Nationals midfielder Kevin Crowley scored three goals and added two assists en route to Game MVP honors in Saturday's Major League Lacrosse All-Star Game, presented by Moe's Southwest Grill. Crowley was one of five Nationals playing in the All-Star Game at American Legion Memorial Stadium in Charlotte. Crowley sparked a 9-0 run in the fourth quarter with two goals and one assist to lead Team Supernova to a 24-15 win over Eclipse. On Saturday, Crowley was joined on Team Supernova by Hamilton teammates Joe Walters, who notched three goals, and Kevin Cunningham, who added one assist in his All-Star debut. Nationals Brodie Merrill and Brett Queener played for Team Eclipse. Merrill, who was making his eighth All-Star Game appearance, collected one assist and two ground balls. In his fourth All-Star appearance, Queener scored a third-quarter goal as Team Eclipse rallied from a seven-point deficit to even the contest at 13. The Nationals' goalie also made nine saves.
Scouting Ohio: The Machine (1-9) are fighting for their playoff lives, and will be eliminated for playoff contention with a loss or a Boston win. The Machine have dropped their last three games, but nearly upset the defending MLL Champions Chesapeake Bayhawks on July 6th. The Bayhawks edged the Machine 13-12. The game Saturday is the second meeting of the season against the Nationals, who defeated Ohio 16-9 back on May 23rd. MLL All-Star Game attackman Steele Stanwick leads the team with 23 points (8+15). The former Virginia standout is tied for fourth in the MLL in assists. Goalie Brian Phipps has started the last six games and has a 12.50 goals-against average.
Next Game: 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.
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