Photo Credit: Pretty Instant
Featured Image Photo Credit: Pretty Instant
Chris Crane, Beat Writer Rochester Rattlers
Lacrosse is Awesome
With the National Lacrosse League winding down and into playoff mode, it can only mean one thing that Major League Lacrosse is now under way. This past weekend on Saturday May 6, the Rochester Rattlers (1-1) took on the Ohio Machine (1-1) at Fortress Field in front of a crowd of 1,468. The match up between these two teams wouldn’t disappoint as it would be a back and forth battle that would force overtime where Ty Thompson would net the game winner giving the Rattlers there first win of the season 12-11.
Getting things started just forty seconds into the first quarter Rochester’s Jordan Wolf would go unassisted making it a 1-0 game. It would be a great defensive battle on both sides as it wouldn’t be until the 6:48 mark that Ohio’s Jake Bernhardt would beat Rattler’s goalie John Galloway making it 1-1. Rochester would then get rolling just a minute later as they would then go on a three goal run getting started with Ty Thompson at 7:28; and Wolf netting his second of the night at 10:03 putting the Rattler’s up 3-1. Rochester would go on the power play and Jeremy Boltus would find the back of the net at 10:47 making it 4-1. In the closing minutes of the first quarter the Machine would be able to find a hole in Rochester’s defense as Mark Cockerton would net one for Ohio at 13:16 making it 4-2. Ohio would now get there chance on the power play and would make the most of it as Peter Baum would net one at 14:04. Score at the end of one: Rattlers 4—Machine 3.
The second quarter wouldn’t disappoint either as it would be over four minutes of play before either side could find net. But Ohio’s Baum would notch his second of the night at 4:35 making it even at 4 apiece. Wolf would answer right back for Rochester netting a hat-trick on the night at 5:28 going unassisted on all three goals; and giving the Rattler’s a 5-4 lead. The Machine would take the lead back as Mike Birney and Kevin Cunningham would each net one making it 6-5. Rochester’s TJ Neubauer would also go unassisted at 10:03 making it 6-6. Cockerton hit his second of the night giving the lead back to the Machine heading into the half 7-6.
Ohio would get things started in the third quarter to extend their lead as Patrick Kelly would go unassisted at 2:01 making it 8-6. Rochester wouldn’t let the Machine get away that easy as they would tie it back up with goals from Jack Near; and Boltus netting his second at 5:42 making it 8-8. Both sides would have yet another defensive stand still as seven minutes ticked off the clock before the Kelly would go unassisted once again for his second on the night at 12:45 giving Ohio a 9-8 lead. But, Wolf would find the back of the net once again for Rochester notching his fourth on the night at 13:21 tying it up. Score at the end of three: Rochester 9—Ohio 9.
The entire game contained excitement for the lacrosse fans, and the fourth quarter would add even more as it would be a battle of the goalies as both sides would only allow two goals apiece. Kip Orban would finally find the back of the net for Rochester around the five minute mark of play giving the Rattler’s the lead back once more 10-9. Kelly would come back for Ohio netting an unassisted goal at 8:30 giving him the hat-trick tying it at 10. Ohio went on the power-play and would capitalize taking the lead back with Cockerton netting a hat-trick of his own as well making it 11-10. In the closing seconds the “go to” man of the day Wolf would find the back of the net unassisted for his fifth of the night at 14:49 tying the game at 11 apiece to send it to overtime.
In sudden death OT, the fans would witness an even more incredible goalie battle as neither side would give in. But the Rattler’s found a hole in the Machine’s defense allowing Thompson to net his second of the night and the game winner at 11:04 giving Rochester a 12-11 victory.
Next up the Rattlers (1-1) will host the Charlotte Hounds (0-3) in Rochester on Thursday May 11, and follow it up with another on Saturday May 13 in Boston to face the Cannons (1-2).
Chris Crane, Beat Writer Rochester Rattlers
Lacrosse is Awesome