Top-Seeded BayHawks Take on Atlanta in Major League Lacrosse Semifinals
Published on October 3, 2019 under Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Chesapeake Bayhawks News Release
ANNAPOLIS, MD - Defense. Defense. Defense.
That will be the rallying cry on Friday evening when the Chesapeake Bayhawks begin their quest for a sixth Major League Lacrosse (MLL) Championship.
Chesapeake (10-6) is the top seed for MLL Championship Weekend and will meet No. 4 Atlanta (8-8) in the semifinals on Friday at 7:00 PM ET (5:00 PM MT) at Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium in Denver, Colorado. This will be a matchup featuring the league's strongest defense and most explosive offense.
The Bayhawks allowed the fewest goals in the Major League Lacrosse regular season, giving up only 193 through 16 games. Meanwhile, the Blaze set an MLL record with 229 goals scored, an average of more than 14 per game.
"Atlanta is a very high-scoring team. They have a ton of talent on the offensive end and have the ability to score in bunches," Chesapeake Head Coach Dave Cottle said. "We really need a sound defensive game-plan and everyone on that end of the field has to know exactly what we are doing and work together as a unit."
Chesapeake is led by perennial MLL All-Star Jesse Bernhardt, one of the best close defensemen in the league. Cottle is admittedly biased, but was disappointed Bernhardt was not among the three finalists for Warrior Defensive Player of the Year.
"Jesse Bernhardt has been the most impactful player and leader I have seen this year. He changed our team and I am not sure where we would be without him," Cottle said.
Bernhardt has been the anchor of a close defense that includes third-year professional Chris Fennell and rookie Warren Jeffrey. He routinely covers opponents' top attackmen and is the key communicator for the entire defense. The former Maryland All-American is also a warrior fighting for groundballs and a factor in the clearing game.
Chesapeake closed the regular season on a two-game winning streak and Cottle plans to stay with the hot hand in goal. Brian Phipps will make his fourth-straight start between the pipes after allowing just 31 goals over the last three games.
"Brian made 17 saves in our last game and has looked very sharp," Cottle said. "Brian's communication has been excellent."
Long stick midfielders CJ Costabile and Greg Danseglio, along with short sticks Isaiah Davis-Allen and Nick Manis, are the other key figures of a defense that is giving up just over 12 goals per game. However, it will not be easy to maintain that average against Atlanta, who boasts four of the top seven scorers in Major League Lacrosse.
The Blaze are led by attackman Tommy Palasek, who stands second in MLL with 63 points on 28 goals and 35 assists. Running mate Shayne Jackson is the league's fourth-leading scorer with 58 points on the strength of 43 goals. Midfielder Bryan Cole has 53 points while attackman Randy Staats has 50.
"Atlanta can put out six offensive players that are extremely tough to cover," Cottle said. "You cannot focus on one or two guys. They're all dangerous."
Atlanta struggled defensively down the stretch of the regular season, giving up a whopping 40 goals in their last two games. Cottle noted the Chesapeake offense can help the defense by controlling possession and scoring goals.
"Good offense lends itself to good defense," Cottle said. "In the last game against Atlanta we got a good number of transition goals. We need to maximize our opportunities in both six-on-six and unsettled situations." Chesapeake should get chances to take advantage of fastbreak opportunities with Atlanta expected to play six pure goal-scorers on offense. Not having any two-way player on the field provides opponents with opportunities in transition.
The Bayhawks have been sparked all season by superstar attackman Lyle Thompson, a finalist for both the Coca-Cola Most Valuable Player and New Balance Offensive Player of the Year honors. Thompson leads Major League Lacrosse with 73 points on 46 goals and 27 assists.
"In my mind, Lyle has been the most impactful offensive player in the league. He's one of the best pure goal-scorers, one of the best passers and one of the best riders I've ever seen," Cottle said. "What Lyle does for our offense is immeasurable. He creates so many double-teams that it opens things up for everyone else."
Attackman Steele Stanwick has amassed 50 points on the strength of 27 assists, while left-handed running mate Colin Heacock has totaled 46 points with 37 goals.
"If you're going to win an MLL Championship you need to score 15 or 16 goals," Cottle said. "We lead league in shots on goal. I think we need to shoot a bit better, share the ball a bit better and have a little better spacing on offense."
A critical matchup will come at the faceoff stripe where Chesapeake's Kenny Massa will square off against Atlanta's Alex Woodall. Massa and Chesapeake got the better of that category in the last meeting between the teams, capturing 20 of 33 draws.
"There is no question that Alex Woodall versus Kenny Massa will play a big part in the outcome of this game," Cottle said.
Following action in the Atlanta and Chesapeake game, second-seeded Denver (9-7) will take on No. 3 Boston (9-7) at 10:00 PM ET (7:00 PM MT). Winners of each game will meet in Sunday's championship game, being held at 1:00 PM ET (11:00 AM MT) at Dick's Sporting Goods Park and broadcast on ESPN2.
"You have to be great for one weekend. Hopefully, we can put it all together," said Cottle, adding that he believes the Bayhawks are well prepared to play twice in three days after having done so three times during the regular season.
Watch the Bayhawks on Friday, October 4th at 7:00 PM ET (5:00 PM MT) for the semifinal round of Major League Lacrosse Championship Weekend. The game will be aired live on ESPNEWS. Tickets for the semifinal games and championship are currently available at bit.ly/MLLChamp19.
The Bayhawks will also be hosting a semifinal watch party at Heroes Pub in Annapolis starting at 6:00 PM ET. This free event will feature happy hour and drink specials, enter to win raffle, rally towel giveaway (while supplies last), and photobooth. Heroes Pub will also be serving a limited time cocktail for the Bayhawks' postseason run, called "The Hawkeye." For more information on the event, visit bit.ly/BHSemifinalWatch.
Major League Lacrosse Stories from October 3, 2019
- Top-Seeded BayHawks Take on Atlanta in Major League Lacrosse Semifinals - Chesapeake Bayhawks
- Bayhawks Battle the Blaze, While The Outlaws and Cannons Faceoff in Denver - MLL
- Alexis Perry Joins MLL Championship Weekend - MLL
- Nuggets and Outlaws Mascots Join MLL Championship Weekend - MLL
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