Rush Scoring Duo Powers Team
March 2, 2015 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Edmonton Rush News Release
Edmonton, AB----The Edmonton Rush have long been a team that's has utilized an offense-by-committee approach, but things appear to be changing to a degree in 2015.
A dynamic duo has emerged to be the clear-cut frontrunners of the Rush attack. Both Mark Matthews and Zack Greer are on their way to career-high years and perhaps becoming two of the National Lacrosse League's most dangerous offensive weapons. The pair combined for 16 points (7 goals, 9 assists) last weekend against Toronto and they'll get a shot at another outbreak on Sunday afternoon when the Rush host the arch-rival Calgary Roughnecks in a matinee on Crystal Glass Field at Northland.
Much was expected of Matthews when he burst onto the NLL scene as the undisputed first overall pick in the 2012 draft. The Denver University product was a sure-fire superstar in the making, even though the Rush, and in particular GM/Head Coach Derek Keenan tried to downplay expectation on a first-year pro.
But after winning Rookie of the Year honors, even more was expected of Matthews. Committing to a better training regimen and developing his overall approach has proven to be very fruitful for power forward. With 22 goals already in the back of opposition nets so far this season, Matthews is on his way to a 56-goal campaign which would easily smash his own team single-season goal-scoring record of 38 set in 2013. Matthews' 38-goal season surpassed the previous Rush club record of 37 set by Chris Gill in 2007.
Better still perhaps is that Matthews could also break his own Rush single-season points record of 78 set in "Ë13. So far this season, Matthews' 22 assists have moved him into fourth spot on the team's all-time assists derby at 117 and now just two behind third-place holder Jimmy Quinlan. Matthews also needs just eight points to reach the 200-point plateau in NLL regular-season action.
Scoring records are nothing new for Greer, the former college trendsetter who netted 206 goals in four campaigns with the Duke Blue Devils which stands as both NCAA and Duke records. Greer finished his college career with 248 goals, four-time All-American status, and the nation's top attackman after a 65-goal senior season.
Now six years into his NLL career, the Whitby, Ontario, native is becoming an elite indoor threat just as he was on the vast outdoor field. With 19 goals already this season, Greer has moved into first place on the Rush's all-time goal-scoring leaderboard with 117, passing Jimmy's Quinlan at 100, and he should have no trouble eclipsing his previous career-best of 31 set with the Rush in 2012.
He hit 30 goals for a second time last season, but at his current pace, Greer could hit 48 goals by the end of the regular season. Greer also needs only 18 more points to get past his career-high of 53 established in 2013.
Also the radar for Greer is third place on the Rush's all-time scoring chart as he needs just five points to reach 209 and pass by Corey Small who trails only Ryan Ward (264) and Jimmy Quinlan (219).
Tickets are available for the lacrosse Battle of Alberta this Sunday, March 8 at 2:00 pm on Crystal Glass Field at Northlands by calling a Rush sales representative at 780 732-RUSH or www.edmontonrush.com.
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