Tom Coyne, Beat Writer Dallas Rattlers
Lacrosse is Awesome
The MLL’s newest franchise, the Dallas Rattlers (2-1), have had a busy week, and will be back at it again tonight, when they travel to Boston to face the Cannons (0-2) at Harvard Stadium. On Friday April 27, they were in Charlotte to play the Hounds, the team that dismantled the Cannons 25-7 in their season opener. Dallas managed to score 12 on the Hounds and holding them to 13. The Rattlers almost tied that game, scoring the final three goals, but to no avail as time ran out on their comeback attempt. Final Score: Charlotte 13—Dallas 12.
The Rattlers would have little time to lick their wounds from Friday night’s lost, having to play against the Denver Outlaws (0-2) Sunday afternoon. This would be Dallas’s first game at their new home in the Ford Center at The Star; home to the Dallas Cowboys new practice facility; and the only indoor venue in the MLL. Ironically, it seems to be an advantage for the Rattlers. There was quite a bit of excitement from the crowd of 7,217 with pre-game festivities including a tailgate party, complete with a local band. But the visiting Outlaws who played in the stadium during the MLL Championship game on August 19, 2017, falling victim to the Ohio Machine, would also lose to the Rattlers. Final Score: Rattlers 15—Outlaws 14.
Starting out the first, the scoring got underway quickly, as Jordan Wolf (4G, 3A) would score unassisted on a turnaround jump shot at the 2:15 mark. Denver would even it up at the 4:45 mark with a pick and roll goal from Mikie Schlosser (1G); and from there the goals would be traded back and forth for both teams finishing the half all locked up 6-6.
Jack Near (1G) would start the second half scoring barrage for the Ratz with a shot from goal line extended. Eric Law (4G, 2A) scored for the Outlaws moments later leaving the game in a tie yet again, which is how the remainder of the game continued; in a see-saw historical battle for the ages.
One of my favorite plays occurred between two John Jay High School (N.Y) alums, the Bocklet brothers. Matt Bocklet, one of the league’s premier defenders was leading a fast-break, when brother Chris Bocklet (2G, 1A) on a middie back situation, continued to hustle over the midfield stripe and stealthily dislodged the ball from older brother Matt, something all you young attacker’s should take note. Score at the end of four: Dallas 14—Denver 14.
Regulation would end in a tie, forcing the first OT game in the Dallas franchise’s brief history, and the first OT in the Ford Center at The Star. In the opening minutes of play neither team could convert on scoring opportunities. At both ends of the field are net-minders on the roster for Team USA, Jack Kelly (12 saves) for Denver; and Dallas goaltender John Galloway (16 saves). In Galloway’s debut game, he was able to thwart the remaining Outlaws attempts; and at the 8:39 mark of OT, Wolf who started the scoring in the first, dished a perfect pass to Ty Thompson (4G, 1A) who launched a rocket past Kelly, ending the war at The Star . Thompson is off to a great start this season with 11 goals in just three games.
Scoring Leaders:
Dallas—Jordan Wolf (4G, 3A); Ty Thompson (4G, 1A)
Denver—Eric Law (4G, 2A); Matt Kavanagh (4G, 3A)
Next Up:
Dallas heads to Boston on May 5, Cinco de Mayo to play the Cannons. This will be three games in nine days for Dallas. No Rest for the Ratz until after tonight’s game.
Tom Coyne, Beat Writer Dallas Rattlers
Lacrosse is Awesome