Thompson Totals Eight Points as BayHawks Beat Blaze, 16-13
Published on July 6, 2019 under Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Chesapeake Bayhawks News Release
ANNAPOLIS, MD - Last week, Chesapeake Bayhawks Head Coach Dave Cottle called superstar attackman Lyle Thompson the "best player in the world." Cottle might need to amend that statement as Thompson is playing lacrosse like he's on another planet these days.
The UAlbany graduate continued his spectacular season by amassing eight points as the Chesapeake Bayhawks beat the Atlanta Blaze, 16-13, on Saturday night in Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Thompson was virtually unstoppable, scoring five goals and dishing off three assists. He now has 33 points through five games.
"I'm just trying to play my game. Our coaches have really allowed me to do that. They have shown a lot of confidence in me and given me the freedom to make plays," Thompson said. "Coach has told me to be aggressive and take advantage of the defenders that are covering me."
Chesapeake (3-2) led from start to finish, beginning with a hat trick from rookie midfielder Andrew Kew. A native of Oakville, Ontario and graduate of University of Tampa, Kew has only played two games this season, making his debut this past Thursday in Denver.
"Chris Burdick coached Kew in camp and gave me a bunch of reasons why we should take him. It turns out he was right," Cottle said, referring to one of Chesapeake's assistants.
Attackman Steele Stanwick totaled two goals and an assist for Chesapeake. Midfielders Matt Abbott and first-year player Colton Watkinson added a goal and assist apiece as the Bayhawks got payback after their last meeting against the Blaze.
"We needed this win. You want to say one game doesn't make a difference, but this win does make a difference. It was important to get back on track," Cottle said. "I feel like we're improving. Atlanta got after us last time. We came out and played much better this time."
Kenny Massa left the last matchup against Atlanta early due to injury, but returned to action for the first time on Saturday night and made a big difference, capturing 18 of 32 faceoffs (.563 win percentage).
Defenseman Jesse Bernhardt, who also missed Thursday night's game, came up big on Saturday with four ground balls and three caused turnovers while holding high-scoring attackman Tommy Palasek to one goal.
"This win was huge. It helps us a lot to know we are able to finish off a game," Thompson said. "We had been struggling to put together four periods. We're still working to do that, but at least tonight we were able to finish strong."
Chesapeake came out on fire, scoring four unanswered goals to start the game. Kew got things started with a lefty sidearm crank shot with just over 2 ½ minutes elapsed and his teammates quickly followed suit.
Thompson drove from the right wing then stopped suddenly unleashed a cannon blast that goalie Chris Madalon never saw. Abbott got into the act with a strong overhand delivery before the Blaze could get on the board.
Atlanta scored twice, but Kew short-circuited the brief rally by scoring two more goals. The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder had a hat trick after one quarter with all three scores coming off identical lefty sidearm crank shots from almost the same spot.
Chesapeake led 5-3 when a brawl erupted at the 10:20 mark of the second quarter and changed the complexion of the contest. Atlanta star attackman Randy Staats and Chesapeake defenseman Warren Jeffrey were both ejected as a result.
Several players from both squads were assessed unsportsmanlike conduct penalties with the result being a Bayhawks numbers advantage. Stanwick scored from the doorstep during a four-on-three situation. Just 38 seconds later, Stanwick scored again while one-on-one with the goalie while it was five-on-four in favor of the Bayhawks.
Those two power play goals gave Chesapeake a 7-3 lead at the 9:13 mark of the second period. Thompson added to the advantage by drawing a double-team and dishing to midfielder Brendan Bomberry for a point-blank shot. Thompson then scored unassisted, using a pick to get open then ripping a rocket from just inside the 2-point arc as the Bayhawks took a 10-8 lead into halftime.
Thompson was responsible for the Bayhawks maintaining the lead after three quarters, scoring two goals off amazing individual moves. Thompson juked a defender out of his cleats by faking a shot then suddenly changing direction and sticking a shot into the top corner. He used a lightning-quick inside roll to lose his defender to once again get one-on-one with the goalie, giving the Bayhawks a 12-11 advantage going into the final frame. There was no stopping Thompson on this night and his fifth goal might have been his most impressive. Catching a pass on the right wing, Thompson launched a missile blast from about 15 yards away that stung the top corner on the far side. Madalon didn't even have time to react to the sidearm crank shot that finished a five-on-four fastbreak that was led by short stick defensive midfielder Isaiah Davis-Allen.
Just over a minute later, midfielder Colton Watkinson gave Chesapeake a cushion by scoring an odd goal in which he wound up sliding into the crease feet first, increasing the lead to 14-11 with 10:39 remaining.
Midfielder Nick Mariano scored the clincher for Chesapeake, dodging down the right alley and shooting on the run - beating Madalon off-side low with 3:10 to go. It was the first goal of the game for Mariano and could not have come at a more opportune time.
Kew added an insurance goal at the 1:59 mark, finishing a transition opportunity by scoring his fourth goal from the doorstep.
"We just had to find a way to finish the game. Winning the fourth quarter tonight was huge," Cottle said. "I thought the character our players showed was impressive. Playing a game that ended last Thursday night then having to come back again tonight... our guys showed a lot of heart."
Chesapeake will return to action on July 14th when they travel to Dallas to take on the Rattlers. This game will be broadcast live on MyTV Baltimore, Stadium, and majorleaguelacrosse.com/watch.
The Chesapeake Bayhawks will then return to Annapolis on July 20th at 7:00 PM for their Chesapeake Celebration Night. Tickets for this game are available at thebayhawks.com/tickets or can be purchased through the Chesapeake Bayhawks Ticket Office by calling 866-99-HAWKS or emailing sales@thebayhawks.com. Join us early for the new Lexus Tailgate, starting at 4:30 PM, featuring music, a photo booth, games for kids, and complimentary Bud Light for ticket holders 21 and older.
Major League Lacrosse Stories from July 6, 2019
- Blaze Fall to BayHawks in Rematch - Atlanta Blaze
- Thompson Totals Eight Points as BayHawks Beat Blaze, 16-13 - Chesapeake Bayhawks
- MLL Week Six Preview - MLL
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