Riptide Advance To NB Zip MLL Championship Game
August 26, 2007 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Los Angeles Riptide News Release
CARSON, CALIFORNIA - Saturday, August 25, 2007 - Bud Light MVP/attackman Chazz Woodson (Brown '05) had four goals and attackman Spencer Ford (Towson '99) added one goal and four assists for the Los Angeles Riptide, who earned a spot in the NB Zip MLL Championship game with their thrilling 15-14 victory over the Rochester Rattlers before a crowd of 7,697 at PAETEC Park on Saturday night.
For a complete look at the box score from Saturday's game, go to the following Url:
http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/boxscore.html?gameid=535771
"I think our guys played with a tremendous amount of heart," said Riptide Head Coach John Tucker. "When the score was 7-3 things didn't look very good, but the team really stepped up and made some plays and things turned out well for us. I'm just really proud of everyone on our team."
The Riptide struck first and took a 2-0 lead over the Rattlers thanks to goals from attackman Terry Riordan (Hopkins '95) and midfielder Anthony Kelly (Ohio State '03) at 1:57 and 2:23, respectively. Midfielder Sean Lindsay (Syracuse '04) assisted on Riordan's goal and Ford was credited for the assist on Kelly's marker. The Rattlers answered with two goals of their own to tie the game at 2-2, but Woodson gave the Riptide the lead again with his first tally of the contest at 5:45. From there, the Rattlers went on the offensive and scored five unanswered goals to take a 7-3 lead. Riptide midfielder Graham Gill (Navy '05) closed out the quarter with his goal at 14:38 to cut the Rattlers lead to 7-4.
The Riptide took command in the second segment, outscoring their opponent 5-1. Riordan started the attack with his second goal of the game, scored on the power play at 5:29, with Ford earning an assist on the tally. Riptide attackman Wes Green (Adelphi '06) collected his first goal of the game, on the power play, at 6:31 to close the Rattlers' lead to 7-6. Ford also assisted on Green's goal and then collected a goal of his own to tie the game at 9:54. Woodson added his second and third goals of the game at 10:44 and 12:42 to give the Riptide a 9-8 lead after 30 minutes of play.
After six-plus scoreless minutes to start the third frame, the Rattlers collected two goals to take a 10-9 lead. The Riptide tied the game at 10-10 with Gill's second goal of the game at 9:41 and regained a one-goal lead with Woodson's fourth tally of the game at 14:52.
The lead continued to swap back and forth in the final quarter. The Riptide took a 12-10 lead with Green's second goal of the game, scored at 52 seconds, but the Rattlers answered with two goals of their own to tie the game. Riordan's second power play goal of the game gave the Riptide the lead again at 7:11, with Ford earning the assist on the goal, and Gill increased the lead to 14-12 with his fourth goal in the contest at 8:51. The Rattlers rallied back to tie the game once more but it wasn't enough as attackman Michael Watson (Virginia '97) netted the eventual game-winning-goal at 13:39 to give the Riptide a 15-14 victory and a chance to capture the league title with a win against Philadelphia on Sunday.
Riptide goalie Mickey Jarboe (Navy '00) posted his first career postseason victory by allowing only 14 goals on 26 shots against the Rattlers' top ranked offense in the league.
The Riptide will take on the defending MLL champions, the Philadelphia Barrage, tomorrow at PAETEC Park, with the game scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. (ET). The game will be televised live on ESPN2 HD as MLL's Game of the Week.
Fans in Los Angeles can watch the Riptide compete for the 2007 MLL Championship as the Riptide will host a viewing party at Sharkeez in Manhattan Beach (3801 Highland Ave., 310-545-6563) on Sunday starting at 10 a.m. (PT). Members of the Wave Patrol and mascot Rippy will be on hand to host promotions and give out Riptide prizes to fans throughout the championship game.
For NB Zip MLL Championship Weekend ticket information, visit the official MLL website at MAJORLEAGUELACROSSE.COM or call 1-585-454-5425.
For more information, visit LARIPTIDE.COM or call 1-866-4-LAX-TIX.
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Major League Lacrosse Stories from August 26, 2007
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