Nationals Preparing for Opener
April 29, 2012 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Hamilton Nationals News Release
The Hamilton Nationals returned to the turf this weekend to prepare for their 2012 Major League Lacrosse season. The team, which currently draws most of its players from western and central New York, held two practice at Sahlen's Stadium in Rochester, NY. (Photo by Ward Laforme Jr.)
Among the returning players at practice included the goaltending tandem of Brett Queener and Scott Rodgers. Brice Queener, Sol Bliss, Steve Waldeck, Donny Moss, Dan Burns and Matt Dolente were also in attendance for the Nats. Joe Walters and Stephen Keogh, who are still playing in the National Lacrosse League, even stopped by Sunday morning to watch practice.
For Rodgers it was a break from his coaching job at Marquette University and an opportunity to get back in the cage. Last season, the Notre Dame product was third in the MLL with an 11.46 goals-against average and fourth with a .558 save percentage.
"It was good to have all the guys out here and good to see some of the boys," said the third-year pro. "We have a young team coming back again and it's going to be an amazing season."
The weekend of practice was also a chance for newcomers to impress the Hamilton lacrosse staff. One of those players was four-year MLL pro Julian Watts. The defenseman played in 20 games in his career with the Long Island Lizards.
"It went pretty well. It was great to get up and down with the defense," said Watts, who spent time with a short stick and a long pole. "These are awesome and tough players that know how to win. I am excited to be up here with this group."
Other players hoping to crack the Nationals' lineup included Matt Chadderdon (Le Moyne), Tom Compitello (Stony Brook), Dan Deckelbaum (Delaware), Jack Dudley (Cornell), Tim Harder (Syracuse), Dan Holdridge (Le Moyne), Andrew Irving (Notre Dame), M.J. Kiekebelt (RIT), Scott Kocis (Georgetown), Grant Krebs (Notre Dame), Dave McCarthy (Albany), Brandon Spillett (Le Moyne), Nick O'Hara (Duke) and Ed Prevost (UNC).
The Nationals will open the 2012 season against the Denver Outlaws, on Saturday, May 5th at INVESCO Field at Mile High. The 9:00 p.m. contest will be featured on ESPN3. Last season, the Nats and Outlaws finished in a tie for second place with 7-5 records, but Hamilton knocked off Denver 11-9 to advance to the MLL title game. In the Finals, the Nationals fell one goal shy to the Boston Cannons, 10-9.
Hamilton makes its home debut on Friday, May 18th with an 11:00 a.m. contest against the Chesapeake Bayhawks at Ron Joyce Stadium at McMaster University. For ticket information, contact the Nationals Ticket Office at (905) 768-2225.
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Major League Lacrosse Stories from April 29, 2012
- Nationals Preparing for Opener - Hamilton Nationals
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