Al Giscombe, Beat Writer Atlanta Blaze
Lacrosse is Awesome
On Saturday June 3, the Atlanta Blaze (2-3) showed the largest crowd of the season how to “RISE UP” against the Charlotte Hounds (2-4) with a come from behind victory, defeating the Hounds. Final Score: Atlanta 19—Hounds 18.
The fire pit was packed as the Blaze welcomed the Charlotte Hounds in front of the largest crowd of the season. The Blaze offense was full tilt all night but especially in the first quarter, as James Pannell (Player of the Game) scored the first goal of the game.
Pannell would go on to score seven points on four goals and two assists. The Blaze took control of the first half with goals from Greg Coholan; Dyan Donahue; Justin Pennington; Tom Moore; and Chris Bocklet. The Hounds were only able to muster four goals from Will Haus; Pat Young; and John Crawley. The first quarter ended 8-4 Blaze.
The Blaze would see Pannell start off the second quarter as well only three minutes and forty four seconds into the frame. The Hounds would strike back on scoring spree and completely dominated the quarter with seven unanswered goals. John Crawley (6G, 1A) started the second quarter domination of goals for Charlotte, followed by Ryan Brown; Brendan Fowler; Brian Sherlock; and Joey Sankey. The Hounds took the momentum with them into halftime with the score 11-9 Hounds.
The two teams would trade goals in the third quarter with the Blaze outscoring the Hounds five to three. It was apparent that both team’s new additions from the collegiate draft were fitting in quite well as there were several balls removed from play being marked as the first career goal of the player. Adam Osika for the Blaze was one of the players who scored twice in the third. The game was high scoring with both teams moving the ball well in transition, while putting on a show for the 2,811 fans in attendance. The third quarter would end with the Blaze leading 15-14.
Defense picked up for both teams in the fourth quarter as was clearly evident with the first goal finally hitting twine at the 5:52 mark off Bocklet 
of the Blaze. There were several broken sticks during this hard checking contest. Atlanta’s Matt Mackrides assisted Bocklet with another goal putting the Blaze up by three. The Hounds being a young team with enough firepower to compete in the MLL, and their competitive spirit showed as Fowler; Brown; Kevin Crowley; and Sankey all scored for the Charlotte in the fourth quarter. Mackrides and Donahue would add one goal apiece for Atlanta to keep the Hounds in check giving them the narrow victory. Final Score: Blaze 19—Hounds 18.
Adam Ghitelman made eight saves in the fourth period defending the victory for the Atlanta Blaze.
The teams will face off again on June 10, this time on Charlotte’s home turf. Charlotte wants revenge and the Blaze want to put another “W” on the board.
AL Giscombe, Beat Writer Atlanta Blaze
Lacrosse is Awesome