Playoff Matchups Set Following a Tense Week 16
Published on September 23, 2019 under Major League Lacrosse (MLL) News Release
Boston, MA -Â The playoff matchups are set! By virtue of their win against the Denver Outlaws on Friday, the Chesapeake Bayhawks will take on the Atlanta Blaze in the Major League Lacrosse Playoffs. The Outlaws and Boston Cannons lost this weekend setting up a showdown of their own in Denver. Here are some storylines following Week 16 of the MLL season.
Bayhawks Secure First Place
The Bayhawks came into the weekend knowing they would need some help if they wanted to secure the first overall seed heading into the playoffs. Their first order of business however was to beat the Denver Outlaws in their season finale in Annapolis on Friday night. It was a tight affair throughout the first half. The Bayhawks held a one goal lead at halftime. The Bayhawks dialed up the pressure in the third, outscoring the Outlaws 4-1. The Bayhawks didn't look back en route to a 13-11 victory.
Colin Heacock led the way for the Bayhawks with four goals on the evening. Backup goalie Brian Phipps made 13 saves on 24 Outlaws shots.
The Bayhawks got some help from the Dallas Rattlers, who beat the Cannons giving the Bayhawks the first overall seed in the MLL Playoffs.
Rattlers Spoil Cannons Party
Speaking of the Rattlers, they played the role of spoiler Saturday afternoon in Quincy. The Rattlers, already eliminated from playoff contention, were hoping to deny the Cannons the first overall seed in the upcoming MLL Playoffs.
In a game dominated by offense, goalie Sean Sconone proved why he is a nominee for both the Cascade Rookie of the Year Award and the Coca-Cola MLL MVP Award. Sconone made 24 saves on Saturday, the most by a goalie in a game this season.
The Rattlers were led by Bryce Wasserman on offense. The native Texan scored four goals in his final game of the year. Jack Curran scored the game winner late in the fourth quarter, but it was Craig Chick who made the game's biggest play. Chick scooped up a clutch ground ball with just seconds left on the clock securing the W for Dallas.
GOALIE WENT THE FULL FIELD FOR THE SCORE ?? #SCtop10
(via @LaxSportsNet) pic.twitter.com/Y6ehX6NhRm
- SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 22, 2019
Kaut and Lizards Grab a Feel Good Win
The New York Lizards and Atlanta Blaze battled Saturday night on Long Island with very little to play for. The Lizards were already eliminated from playoff contention, while the Blaze were already locked into the fourth and final playoff spot.
Rob Pannell and Dylan Molloy made sure to end their season with a bang, combining for nine goals. Pannell scored five, Molloy had four. Not to be outdone, Christian Mazzone found the back of the net six times for the Blaze in a losing effort.
The moment of the night in New York came when Lizards goalie Austin Kaut unloaded a long range shot from his own goal crease as time expired in the first quarter. The shot bounced past Blaze goalie Chris Madalon for a two-pointer. It was the first time a goalie scored a goal in MLL this season.
Looking Ahead
Major League Lacrosse takes a week off before heading to Denver for Championship Weekend. The Bayhawks will face the Blaze and the Cannons will face the Outlaws on Friday, October 4th at Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium. Those games will be broadcast live on ESPNEWS. The winners of those games will play in the MLL Championship Game at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on October 6th. That game will be broadcast live on ESPN2.
Major League Lacrosse Stories from September 23, 2019
- Major League Lacrosse Announces Finalists for MLL Honors Presented by New Balance - MLL
- Playoff Matchups Set Following a Tense Week 16 - MLL
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