Riptide set to take on Chicago Machine
Published on June 16, 2006 under Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Los Angeles Riptide News Release
CARSON, CA (Friday, June 16, 2006) - The Los Angeles Riptide of Major League Lacrosse (MLL) will play the fourth home game of its inaugural season this Saturday, June 17 at The Home Depot Center Track and Field Complex at 1:00 p.m. PT against the Chicago Machine. This is Los Angeles' first game against a Western Conference opponent this season.
Though the team is still looking for its first victory, the Riptide has shown improvement in each game, as its players begin to connect. Saturday's game begins a home-and-home series against Chicago for the Riptide, who plays at the Home Depot Center on the campus of California State University, Dominguez Hills.
The Riptide concludes its longest home stand of the season against the Machine, the league's only other team yet to register a win. The Riptide has a tough road ahead with all its remaining matches against Western Conference rivals. This could help positioning for a playoff spot if the team responds well.
Attackman Andrew Combs will likely make his debut for the Riptide against Chicago. In an attempt to bolster its offense, Los Angeles acquired Combs from the Rochester Rattlers on June 13 in exchange for the team's 2007 Third Round Supplemental Draft Pick. The 28-year-old Combs brings 20 games of MLL experience with the Rattlers and the Baltimore Bayhawks to Los Angeles. He has 35 career goals and seven career assists. Midfielder Graham Gill was placed on the Non-Lacrosse Inactive List to open up the roster spot for Combs.
The Riptide might be an expansion team, but it boasts some of the top players in the league, led by the high-scoring MLL veteran Michael Watson and top goalie and 2006 MLL All-Star Tillman Johnson. The Riptide also expect defender Dan Cocchi to make an impact, as the fourth-year pro is fresh off winning the 2005 MLL title with the Baltimore Bayhawks and was selected to the 2006 MLL All-Star team.
After being held scoreless in the first game of the season, Watson certainly picked up on offense in the second game, picking up four goals and one assist as he recorded the first hat trick in team history. Watson also performed strongly June 10 in his first game against his former team the Boston Cannons, netting two more goals.
The Riptide attack is based on precision accuracy and blinding speed, provided by former Princeton University star Sean Hartofilis and former Syracuse University star Brian Nee.
Nee has quickly taken the scoring lead for the Riptide. He has picked up 11 points on his eight goals and three assists in 2006. He has provided some scoring consistency for the Riptide, contributing at least two goals in each of the first three games.
The Riptide midfield is bolstered by the confident leadership of Sean Lindsay, who scored 29 goals and registered 12 assists in his first two years in Major League Lacrosse. This season, he is the Riptide point leader among midfielders with nine points. Lindsay's former Syracuse University teammate Kevin Dougherty will also provide midfield stability, while nine-year indoor lacrosse veteran and former Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year Matt Ogelsby will make an impact as well.
The June 17 game is the first of two Riptide Family Pack games. For as little as $60, you can receive four tickets, four hot dogs and four sodas while you watch the Riptide take on the Chicago Machine.
Tickets for the Riptide's inaugural season at The Home Depot Center are on sale now, with season ticket packages beginning at just $96 (adults)/ $80 (youth 16 & under). For more information or to purchase your tickets today, please call toll free at 1-866-4-LAX-TIX.
Major League Lacrosse Stories from June 16, 2006
- Riptide set to take on Chicago Machine - Los Angeles Riptide
- Cannons Host San Francisco Saturday at 7PM - Boston Cannons
- Battle to win: Machine vs. Riptide - Chicago Machine
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