Toronto Nationals Inaugural Season Home Opener This Weekend
May 20, 2009 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Hamilton Nationals News Release
TORONTO - Toronto Nationals Lacrosse host their inaugural season home opener this weekend against the Chicago Machine on Friday May 22nd at 7:30 p.m. ET at BMO Field.
The Nationals (1-0) opened their first-ever season on the road defeating the Washington Bayhawks, 17-16 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, MD on May 15th.
Nationals Attackman Merrick Thomson led the team with seven goals, including five in the second half to bring Toronto to victory over the Bayhawks on Friday night. The performance earned Thomson game MVP honours as well as being named the first 2009 Major League Lacrosse (MLL) Offensive Player of the Week as announced by MLL yesterday afternoon.
"I felt that we played hard," said Thomson, "but there is still a lot of room for improvement. It was only our second time together and we are still trying to get used to playing with each other."
"(The team) got a little better each quarter and managed to catch (the Bayhawks) at the end for the win," said head coach Dave Huntley. "I was very pleased with the positive energy on our bench and in the room. We will clean up our execution a little bit each week," he added.
Nationals midfielder Geoff Snider said, "getting your first win under your belt is always a huge accomplishment."
"We showed a lot of maturity and composure keeping the game tight. It was really the first time our team has been together in a competitive setting and we are only going to get closer and better as a group," Snider added.
2008 MLL Championship game MVP Joe Walters and attacker Jeff Zywicki scored three goals each in the win and Rob Scherr and Brett Queener shared the goaltending duties for Toronto turning away 15 of 25, and 13 of 19 shots on net, respectively. Queener recorded the first-ever win in net for the Nationals.
The Nationals play at home for the first time at BMO Field on Friday night to face the Chicago Machine (1-0).
Huntley says the team and coaching staff are all very excited to play in the home opener this weekend.
"Opening games are always exciting but this being the first pro-field game in Canada since (the early 1900's) and playing at a venue like BMO adds to the excitement," Huntley added.
Everyone is looking forward to getting back on the field, especially in front of the lacrosse community in Toronto," Snider added.
Chicago defeated the Denver Outlaws this weekend, 13-11 with the Machine led by Captain Kevin Leveille who tallied 4 points (2 goals, 1 two-pt goal) in the win.
"Chicago has a great mix of veteran and young talent," said Huntley. "They have a heavy Syracuse influence and play an up tempo, physical style."
"They have an explosive offence and very talented defence," Snider said of the Chicago squad. "It will be a great test for our team."
The pre-game party before the home opener on Friday night begins in the North Patio, just inside Gate 1 at BMO field at 6:00 p.m. Fans will enjoy a beer garden and music along with trivia, contests and prizes to be handed out. General public gates open at 6:30 p.m.
Toronto Nationals Lacrosse season tickets for all six home games at BMO Field are still available. Season ticket packages start as low as $90. For your ticketing information, please call the Toronto Nationals Lacrosse office at 416-596-0676 or email tickets@nationalslacrosse.com.
The Toronto Nationals and visiting team players will be on hand after each and every game to sign autographs for fans. Announcements will be made throughout Friday's matchup for the post-game autograph session details at BMO Field.
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