New Jersey Stays in Playoff Chase
Published on July 29, 2006 under Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
New Jersey Pride News Release
BOSTON - The New Jersey Pride knew full well that headed into Saturday's game at Boston University's Nickerson Field that a loss meant elimination from the 2006 Major League Lacrosse playoff chase.
But the big guns that the Pride had counted on from its midfield were locked and loaded.
Adam Doneger hit his third and fourth 2-point goals of the season, and Conor Ford added a third as the Pride topped the Boston Cannons 20-14 in front of 4,986 fans.
The win keeps New Jersey alive in the playoff run at 4-6 and means Boston (7-3) still has not clinched a playoff berth.
"We played a tremendous game both offensively and defensively,'' said Pride head coach Peter Jacobs. "We needed a big win and we got it.''
Doneger was named the Bud Light Game MVP for his five point performance which included the two 2-pointers and an assist. The win also means the Pride sweep the season series with Boston for the first time since 2002. The Bud Light MVP award for Doneger is the third of his Pride career and second this season (May 26 vs Rochester).
"Getting the kind of performance from the guys like Adam Doneger and Conor Ford is what we expected all season long,'' said General Manager Trey Reeder. "We just need to take care of our business and keep it going for the final two games of the season.''
Scott Urick was the leading goal scorer for the Pride with four goals, and Liam Banks added a hat trick and five points for New Jersey. Fourteen of the Pride's 17 goals were assisted, led by Kyle Harrison's four helpers to go along with a big fourth quarter goal.
The teams ended the first 15 minutes of play tied at five after the Pride scored the final two goals of the quarter in transition. Liam Banks and Scott Urick both finished picture perfect fast breaks on situations started by Ben Grinnell in the Pride defensive end.
The Pride gave up the first three goals of the second quarter, but bounced right back to score the next four points and take the lead on Adam Doneger's team leading fourth 2-point goal of the season, beating Cannons goalie Chris Garrity over his right shoulder.
The Pride continued their second-quarter onslaught when Conor Ford found Liam Banks for an in-tight finish, all that before Conor Ford fired his third 2-pointer of the season to give the team a 12-8 advantage heading into the final 30 minutes of play.
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The third quarter brought more of the same for New Jersey, which outscored the Cannons 5-4, the big blow coming off the stick of Doneger who had a head of steam and drilled his second 2-pointer of the game, giving the Pride a 17-12 lead after the third.
The three 2-point goals scored by the Pride on Garrity matched the total given up by the Cannons netminder through eight games coming into the contest
Major League Lacrosse Stories from July 29, 2006
- Pride Run Past Cannons 20-14 - Boston Cannons
- Lizards Fall to Outlaws, 12-11 - New York Lizards
- New Jersey Stays in Playoff Chase - New Jersey Pride
- Guarantee Not Enough - Machine Comes up Short Against Riptide 14-8 - Chicago Machine
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