Boston Cannons Week 4 Preview

6/2/10 3:48 PM

 

MLL Week Four Preview – Boston at Chesapeake

Meg Andrews

The Boston Cannons will travel to Annapolis, MD Friday June 4 to face-off against the Chesapeake Bayhawks at 7:30 p.m. in the hopes of redeeming themselves from a crushing loss against the Long Island Lizards (13-11) last Thursday. The Chesapeake Bayhawks are determined to achieve the same goal coming off a loss against the Chicago Machine (17-14). Fans should look forward to an action packed game because neither of these teams, both coming off their first loss of the season, is likely to fall down easy.

The Bayhawks started the 2010 MLL season strong with two wins against the Long Island Lizards and the Toronto Nationals. Goals were scored by ten different players during the game against the Nationals, which include Peet Poillon and Kyle Dixon who both contributed two-point goals and currently lead the Bayhawks in points.

However, powerful performances from these star players were not enough to lead the team to a victory last Saturday when Chicago defeated Chesapeake. Although goalie Chris Garrity made 16 impressive saves and Andrew “Buggs” Combs scored four goals, the team fell behind early in the first quarter 4-1 and was not able to catch up, while Chicago dominated play and performed well to win the game. 

Boston has had a similar MLL journey so far this season. The Cannons had impressive wins against the Denver Outlaws and the Chicago Machine with the help of an unstoppable offense that includes veteran players Paul Rabil and Matt Poskay and newcomers Brad Ross, Kevin Buchanan, and Pat Heim. As well as a strong defense and 41 saves fromstarter goalie Kip Turner during their 2-0 start.

The team looked strong going into last week’s game and was expected to demonstrate key performances that would lead to a 3-0 record. Despite two-point goals from midfielders Brad Ross and Kevin Buchanan and four goals from Matt Poskay, who was the only player to score more than one goal during the game, the Cannons were unable to attain the win. Cannons Head Coach Bill Daye said, “I think we ran into a Long Island team that was a lot hungrier for a win than we were.  Offensively we got stagnant and weren’t getting into any flow which is tough to do when you’re not possessing the ball.” 

Paul Rabil attempted to carry the weight of his team throughout the game but was stopped by the Lizards’ powerful defense and did not score any goals. The Cannons trailed 8-4 at halftime and then were held scoreless in the third quarter.  They did outscore the Lizards 7-2 in the fourth quarter but it was too little too late as the suffered their first loss of the season.

Due to disappointing results for both teams, Chesapeake and Boston are likely to play with the intensity they started the season with this weekend.   Bayhawks Andrew “Buggs” Combs stated, “I think we were a little flat [against Chicago], but I guarantee we will pick it up and play with a lot more intensity on Friday night.” Boston has forgotten about last week’s game against Long Island and is focusing on defeating Chesapeake to be the first team to win three games in the 2010 Major League Lacrosse season. “It’s obviously an important game at this point in the season for momentum and standings,” Coach Daye stated. With two teams with similar playing styles and strong offenses on both ends of the field, it could be anyone’s game.

 For the second consecutive week the Cannons will have to play without the help of their enthusiastic fans while on the road at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.  However, this will not stop them from going after the win in the hopes of celebrating a victory with their fans when they return to Boston. “We’ve talked about some things we need to focus on for the game and we’ll be ready to go,” Coach Daye confidently proclaimed.

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