Stanwick Records Five Points for the Second Straight Night, But Chesapeake Falls to Dallas, 14-13
August 25, 2019 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Chesapeake Bayhawks News Release
ANNAPOLIS, MD - Veteran attackman Steele Stanwick amassed five points for the second straight night, but his efforts were not enough to put Chesapeake over Dallas in a 14-13 loss.
Stanwick scored a goal and assisted four others to cap an explosive weekend individually, but the Bayhawks as a team missed a chance to clinch a playoff berth. Attackman Colin Heacock had a hat trick for his second consecutive game as Chesapeake split its weekend back-to-back series.
Rookie attackman Andrew Kew totaled three points with a clutch two-point goal and an a one-point goal for the Bayhawks, who led 11-9 going into the fourth quarter. Attackman Lyle Thompson scored two goals while midfielder Brendan Bomberry contributed a goal and assist for Chesapeake (8-5), who remains in sole possession of first place in Major League Lacrosse (MLL).
The Bayhawks were beaten 18-10 on faceoffs and which allowed the Rattlers to control the possession battle.
"Our faceoff game was not good enough, especially with wing play," Chesapeake Head Coach Dave Cottle said. "[Dallas was] good when the ball hit the ground and out-scrapped us on the faceoffs." Several calls went against the Bayhawks throughout the matchup. Cottle challenged a two-point goal because he thought the shooter stepped on the line, but officials ruled otherwise. An apparent Dallas turnover in the final half minute was nullified because the referees determined that a timeout had been called beforehand.
Despite the loss, Cottle was not concerned about Chesapeake failing to clinch a playoff spot as his team still has three games remaining in the regular season.
Chesapeake got off to a slow start, falling behind 3-1 after one period. Heacock scored the home team's lone goal of the quarter, circling from right to left then firing on the run to beat Dallas goalie Sean Sconone stick-side low at the 4:43 mark.
Chesapeake, just as they did on Saturday night against Atlanta, took control in the second quarter - outscoring Dallas 5-2. Thompson got things started with a powerplay tally, stepping into a sidearm shot.
Midfielder Ryan Tucker, seeing his first action since July 20th, unleashed a long-range missile that just missed being a two-pointer because his foot was on the arc. Andrew Kew scored off a rocket launch from the wing off a nice feed from Stanwick to tie the score at four with 4:32 to go.
Thompson followed Kew with a spectacular goal to give the Bayhawks their first lead. The attackman drove from behind the goal to whip a no-look, behind-the-back shot that Sconone never saw to make it 5-4.
Moments later, Stanwick used a pick by Thompson to lose his defender behind the cage and score with a left-handed bouncer, giving the Bayhawks a 6-4 lead at halftime.
It was a back-and-forth third quarter with the Bayhawks outscoring the Rattlers 5-4 to increase their lead to two. Stanwick had two assists in the period, recording the 150th of his Major League Lacrosse career by finding midfielder Shane Simpson cutting to the crease. Stanwick then showed tremendous anticipation by passing to midfielder John Wagner as the rookie midfielder became open on the crease.
Heacock had two goals in the third to complete his hat trick, running over defenseman Jake Pulver to get to the doorstep and release his lethal shot.
Dallas was awarded a controversial two-point goal by Ryan McNamara, whose foot appeared to cross the arc - like Ryan Tucker earlier - as he shot. Cottle challenged the call on the field, but it was upheld after video review.
Midfielder Nick Mariano rode hard, knocked him over and forced a turnover in the defensive zone. Bomberry scooped the loose ball and waltzed in for a one-on-one attempt to make it 11-9.
Dallas' rookie midfielder Lucas Wittenberg scored early in the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to one. Midfielder Adam Osika then converted a powerplay opportunity as the Rattlers tied the score 11-11 with 6:54 remaining.
McNamara then completed a change of momentum by firing in his second two-pointer to give Dallas a 13-11 lead. Cottle changed goalies at that point, replacing Niko Amato with Brian Phipps.
Chesapeake got off good shots on its next two possessions, but Sconone made outstanding saves on both. Wittenberg then slipped inside the defense for a short bounce shot that provided Dallas with a three-goal cushion.
"I thought their goalie made some big saves in the fourth quarter," Cottle said of Sconone, who stopped 11 shots in the game.
Kew kept Chesapeake's hopes alive by scoring the first two-point goal of his career, blasting a sidearm shot that bounced at the crease and skipped through the five-hole, reducing the deficit to one.
Dallas won the ensuing faceoff, but Chesapeake appeared to have gotten the ball back with 21.2 seconds to go. Phipps came out of the cage to force attackman Bryce Wasserman into a turnover. Defenseman Jesse Bernhardt scooped the loose ball and seemed the Bayhawks would get one last possession.
However, the officials questionably ruled that Dallas had called a timeout before Wasserman lost the ball along the end line.
The Bayhawks will be off this upcoming week, but will return to action on Saturday, September 7th at 5:00 PM in Quincy, MA against the Boston Cannons. This game will be broadcast live on MyTV Baltimore and Lax Sports Network (LSN).
Chesapeake returns home to Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium for their final game of the season on Friday, September 20th at 8:00 PM. The Bayhawks will take on the Denver Outlaws for School Pride Night. Fans are encouraged to wear attire from their favorite middle school, high school or university.
Tickets for that game are available at thebayhawks.com/tickets. They can also be purchased through the Chesapeake Bayhawks Ticket Office at 866-99-HAWKS or by contacting sales@thebayhawks.com.
Major League Lacrosse Stories from August 25, 2019
- Stanwick Records Five Points for the Second Straight Night, But Chesapeake Falls to Dallas, 14-13 - Chesapeake Bayhawks
- Rattlers Beat BayHawks to Extend Streak to Six - Dallas Rattlers
- Blaze Fall to Chesapeake 13-16 - Atlanta Blaze
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