Riptide Weekly Update
July 20, 2006 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Los Angeles Riptide News Release
CARSON, CALIFORNIA - Thursday, July 20, 2006 - After a week off for the entire league, the Los Angeles Riptide of Major League Lacrosse (MLL) returns to action in a home-and-home series against the San Francisco Dragons this weekend. The first game will be at the Home Depot Center Track and Field Complex Saturday, July 22 at 1:00 p.m. (PT). The series will conclude in San Francisco at Kezar Stadium Sunday, July 23 at 1:00 p.m. (PT).
The team suffered two of the worst losses of the season in its previous two games, both against the Western Conference-leading Denver Outlaws, on July 1 and July 8. The Riptide (2-5) hopes to get things back on track in the weekend series against the Dragons. However, the team again faces a difficult opponent. The Dragons have control over second place in the West with a 5-2 record and is the team, which has dealt the Outlaws its only two losses of the season.
Veteran attackman Michael Watson was the only player to have a multi-goal game against Denver on July 8, scoring two goals in the 17-7 loss at the Home Depot Center. He is also the only Riptide player in the league's top-25 scorers, tied for 19th with 23 points (16 goals, 7 assists). After a slow start this season, Watson continues to provide consistent offense for the Riptide, scoring a minimum of two goals in the last five games.
The Riptide continues to see new faces. At the trade deadline, the Riptide claimed attackman Colin Doyle as a Discovery Player, then promptly traded him to the Rochester Rattlers for midfielder J.J. Morrissey. Morrissey was drafted in the 2006 Collegiate Draft, but did not see any action for the Rattlers. He became the third player who spent time on the Rochester Roster this season to be acquired within a month. On July 5, the Riptide claimed attackman Spencer Ford from the League Player Pool after he was waived by Rochester. He played one game for the Rattlers, getting three assists. Earlier in the season, on June 13, the Riptide acquired Buggs Combs from the Rattlers in exchange for a 2007 draft pick.
Combs continues to fit in well with the Riptide. He has scored at least one goal in each game he has played in since his acquisition. Ford made his Riptide debut on July 8, against Denver, and did not record any points.
Collegiate Draft pick, defenseman D.J. Driscoll, continues to prove himself defensively. He is second on the team with 16 groundballs, and has picked up at least one groundball in every game he has played.
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 19 points (12 G, 1 2-pt G, 5 A). Lindsay has also been offensively consistent for the Riptide, netting at least two goals in each of the last five games. Lindsay's former Syracuse University teammate Kevin Dougherty also provides midfield stability. The midfield has also gotten some help from Syracuse teammate, Steve Vallone, who scored a two-point goal in consecutive games against Chicago. The Riptide now has a four-game streak of two-point goals.
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.
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Major League Lacrosse Stories from July 20, 2006
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