Lance Crafton, Beat Writer Chesapeake Bayhawks
Lacrosse is Awesome
As we pulled into the Navy and Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on Saturday April 21, 2018, I couldn’t help but feel a bit of confusion as the realization set in that the MLL season is here; Spring lacrosse is winding down with college ball having only one more regular season game left on the books; and yet here I am wearing a jacket on opening day. Usually this time of year is filled with excitement, shorts, warm nights, and cold beers but, Mother Nature has been temperamental this year on the east coast.
The Chesapeake Bayhawks started off their 2018 season hosting the ‘new’ Dallas Rattlers on this chilly night in Annapolis, MD with 2,915 in attendance (although the ticket takers said that’s how many were there, it looked as though maybe only half of that were actually in their seats). With the NLL season still going, notable players like Lyle Thompson and Josh Byrnes were absent from the sidelines but the benches still had quite a few veterans and even ex-retiree, Steele Stanwick, taking the field. Two notable fledglings, Myles Jones (third year in the MLL); and Colin Heacock (second year in the MLL) were a big part in the Bayhawks’ offense but it wasn’t enough as the Dallas Rattlers, with great performances by Jordan Wolf; Blaze Riorden; and Drew Simoneau, set the tempo and upset Chesapeake 15-9.
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Brian Phipps was peppered in the cage by the Rattlers saving 22 of their 37 shots yet it was the Bayhawks that couldn’t quite get on target, though they outshot Dallas with 41 shots, giving Riorden 32 saves between the pipes. At the faceoff X, Simoneau was in control and Chesapeake had to swap out Ben Williams (0-4 on the night) for Stephen Kelly who became the spark they needed and winning 15 of 24 faceoffs. Six players chalked the scoreboard for the Bayhawks with Matt Danowski; Jones; and Heacock getting two apiece and rounding out the offense were Matt Abbott; Nate Lewnes; and
Stanwick. Only three players shared the ball with assist credits going to Heacock; Jones; and C.J. Costabile tallying one each.
Dallas devoured the ground ball game and was solid on transitions capitalizing on a lot of turnovers caused from missed passes by the Bayhawks. “I thought we turned the ball over about five times in a row to start the third quarter, which was kind of the story of the game,” Coach Dave Cottle said. “You know the old saying that good offense lends itself to good defense and bad offense lends itself to bad defense. We turned the ball over and it cost us goals.” The ‘Hawks chemistry was a bit off last night but the intensity was there in true Bayhawks fashion with a good physical game between both teams. Hopefully the more time with each other will help dial in passes as feeds are better placed and read as the players get to know the others’ styles.
The Bayhawks have the next four games on the road before returning home Saturday, June 2nd at Navy-Marine Corps Stadium in Annapolis. Hopefully they’ll bring home some warm weather and a win.
Lance Crafton, Beat Writer Chesapeake Bayhawks
Lacrosse is Awesome