Riptide update
June 14, 2006 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Los Angeles Riptide News Release
L.A. RIPTIDE TO FACE CHICAGO MACHINE, SATURDAY, JUNE 17: After losing the first three games of its inaugural season, the Los Angeles Riptide completes its three-game home stand on Saturday, June 17 at 1:00 p.m. (PT) against the Chicago Machine, at the Home Depot Center Track and Field Complex. The game can be seen on ESPN2 on Tuesday, June 20 at 12:55 p.m. (PT). The Riptide then play road games at Chicago and Denver.
RIPTIDE FAMILY PACK: The game against Chicago is the first of two chances for fans to take part in the Riptide Family Pack ticket deal. Starting at just $60, fans can get four tickets, four hot dogs and four sodas and watch the Los Angeles Riptide take on Western Conference rival Chicago. Go to www.lariptide.com or call 1-866-4-LAX-TIX for more details.
A CONFERENCE OPPONENT: For the first time this season, the Riptide will face a team in its conference when it plays the first half of a home-and-home series against the Chicago Machine. The first three games of the season were played against teams from the Eastern Conference. This is the first chance for the Riptide to take on a fellow expansion team from the Western Conference. The Machine (0-4) is also the only remaining winless team in MLL.
WESTERN CONFERENCE THE REST OF THE WAY: The Riptide played its games against the Eastern Conference early, playing its first three games against the Eastern Conference and now are looking forward to playing solely against Western Conference opponents for the rest of the season. All of the other teams in the Western Conference have at least one game remaining against teams in the East.
RIPTIDE MAKING MOVES: On June 13, 2006, in an attempt to bolster its offense, the Riptide acquired attackman Andrew Combs from the Rochester Rattlers in exchange for the team's 2007 Third Round Supplemental Draft Pick. The 28-year-old Combs has 20 games of MLL experience scoring 35 goals and registering seven assists. In three games with the Rattlers this season, Combs has scored two goals and has two assists. Combs also played for the Rattlers during the 2005 season, winning the Warrior Most Improved Player Award. Originally selected in the 2002 MLL Supplemental Draft by the Baltimore Bayhawks, Combs was re-acquired by the Bayhawks in the 2003 Supplemental Draft. He played for the Bayhawks in 2003 and 2004 before being picked up in the 2005 Supplemental Draft by the Rattlers. To make room on the roster for Combs, the Riptide placed midfielder Graham Gill on the Non-Lacrosse Inactive List.
RIPTIDE ALL-STARS: On June 13, Riptide goalie Tillman Johnson and midfielder Dan Cocchi were named to the roster for the Fifth Major League Lacrosse All-Star Game, which matches up the best players from MLL against the best from Team USA. The game will be played on July 6, 2006 at Nickerson Field in Boston, Mass., home of the Boston Cannons. This will be the second consecutive All-Star appearance for Johnson and the first-ever appearance for Cocchi.
DRISCOLL DEBUTS FOR RIPTIDE: In its first-ever Major League Lacrosse (MLL) Collegiate Draft on May 31, the Riptide selected Notre Dame defenseman D.J. Driscoll. In his first game for the Riptide on June 10 against Boston, Driscoll picked up two loose balls. Driscoll, the Great West Defensive Player of the Year in 2006, was selected with the first pick of the second round of the draft.
NEE HEADS SCORING: Riptide attackman Brian Nee continues to take the scoring lead for the team. In each of the first two games of the season, Nee recorded two goals and one assist. He further added to those numbers against Boston when he tallied four goals and one assist. He also led the team in that game with six ground balls. Nee is firmly in the point lead for the Riptide with eight goals and three assists.
LINDSAY LEADS MIDFIELDERS: Midfielder Sean Lindsay leads all Riptide midfielders with nine points, five goals and four assists. He is also second among all Riptide players in scoring. After not netting any points in the first game, Lindsay picked up the scoring against Rochester (3 goals, 2 assists) and Boston (2 goals, 2 assists).
RIPTIDE ESTABLISHES STIX 4 KIDS PROGRAM: The L.A. Riptide remains committed to its mission to establish a leadership role in the growth and development of Southern California lacrosse. In furthering that mission, the team has established STIX 4 KIDS. The program provides the opportunity for individuals and corporations to provide Riptide game tickets and/or team-sponsored teaching clinics to local non-profit organizations that benefit inner city, at-risk and disadvantaged children. For more information, send an email to info@lariptide.com.
NEW WEBSITE FEATURES: Don't miss the two weekly columns on the Riptide's revamped website, www.lariptide.com. Each Monday, look for "Inside the Numbers," written by lacrosse analyst Nick Ammazzalorso. Ammazzalorso takes a look back at the previous game and ahead to next week's game. Each Friday, Inside Lacrosse Magazine Assistant Editor Geoff Shannon brings you highlights of the past week and his slant on the week ahead, as well as in depth and personal looks at the Riptide's superstars, in Shannon's Slant.
2006 RIPTIDE SEASON TICKETS ON SALE: Los Angeles Riptide season tickets for 2006 are on sale. Season ticket packages for the Riptide's inaugural season at the Home Depot Center start at just $96 for adults and $80 for youth (16 & under). For more information or to reserve your seats today, call the Riptide ticket office at 1-866-4-LAX-TIX, or visit the Riptide's website at www.lariptide.com.
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Major League Lacrosse Stories from June 14, 2006
- Riptide update - Los Angeles Riptide
- Spallina Named To MLL All-Star Team - Philadelphia Barrage
- Lacrosse America Meets Machine - Chicago Machine
- Four Pride players tabbed as 2006 MLL All-Stars - New Jersey Pride
- Pride advance to 3-1 with record-tying offensive output - New Jersey Pride
- Cannons Poskay Named MLL Cascade Rookie of Week - Boston Cannons
- Four Cannons Named MLL All-Stars - Boston Cannons
- Dougherty Wins MLL Weekly Honors - Philadelphia Barrage
- Leveille Named to MLL All Star Team - Chicago Machine
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