Tom Coyne, Beat Writer Dallas Rattlers
Lacrosse is Awesome
On Thursday, June 7th the MLL had a doubleheader on the schedule. First game up was the Denver Outlaws (4-4) hosting the league’s defending champs the Ohio Machine (2-4); and in the nightcap, the Dallas Rattlers (6-2), hosted the Boston Cannons (2-6). The Dallas Rattlers home field, the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, TX is an indoor venue and the only one of its kind in the League.
Denver defeated the Machine in convincing manner 17-6, and the Rattlers doubled up the score on Boston 22-11. Both games could very well be considered blowouts.
It was Thursday night under the lights for the Boston Cannons and Dallas Rattlers. At the Ford Center, there were 3,816 fans faithful Rattlers fans. Dallas entered into the game tied for first place with the Charlotte Hounds (5-2). The Hounds were swept this season by the Outlaws who handed them their only defeats of the season. The Rattlers win put them in sole possession of first place with a half a game lead.
The scoring started early for the Cannons with Sergio Perkovic (3G) at the 1:47 mark; and less than a minute later at the 2:30 mark Kyle Denhoff (1G) would score his only point of the game, with Max Seibald (1A) getting the assist, his only point of the game. At this point Rattlers Goalkeeper, John Galloway (Team USA) called a timeout from the field near his crease. The ensuing faceoff would paint a picture of what was going to be a run of good fortune for the home team. Drew Simoneau (3G, 7GB, 14-37 FO), would prove that he is an MLL All-Star and deserves to be honored as one this past season. Why I digress, Simoneau was facing off against the NCAA’s all-time greatest faceoff artist and Boston’s rookie sensation, Trevor Baptiste (10GB, 23-37FO). This was Baptiste’s second MLL contest and he was looking for a way to win. Statistically speaking Baptiste had better face-off stats, but Simoneau was giving the Ratz the edge when it came to scoring goals, recording his first hat-trick of the season and perhaps his career in the MLL, most likely not his last. Two of these goals occurred as a product of him doing his job at the “X” and winning the battle with Baptiste, slicing through the defenders and firing away finding the net in just five seconds; followed by another nine seconds from the face-off whistle(s); and on his third goal he was playing on defense after the face-off to cover Baptiste, who had the green light to stay out on the offense. In the third quarter Simoneau was able to speed past the Cannons middies, received an outlet pass on the run, and sliced through the formation on a fast-break scoring with a cannon blast of his own giving him his hat-trick, all three unassisted and his only 3 shots. He was a perfect 3 -3 from the field, not bad for a player who once wondered why he was voted in as an MLL All-Star in ’17. The Rattlers would go onto a five-goal run making it 5-2 at the end of the first quarter.
Will Sands (1G) would stop the bleeding for the Cannons, scoring unassisted just 3:01 into the second quarter and his sole point of the game. The teams traded punches exchanging goals with the Rattlers scoring five and Boston four, including Zed Williams (3G, 1A) scoring for Boston, the first of his hat-trick with just two seconds left in the first half. This was the first time he has played against his former team, and teammates. Ratz up at the half 10-6.
The Rattlers would outscore the Cannons in the second half by a total of 12-5, with Jordan Wolf (2G, 3A) scoring his first of the night, unassisted at the: 56 second mark. The goal was a beauty as he charged hard from “X”, to a laser-guided shot past the goal-keeper while on the run. Wolf also would score the last goal of the game with only 57 seconds on the game clock. Final score 22-11 and the Rattlers taking over sole ownership of the first place in the league.
Wolf has consecutive five point games and leads the team in points with 35 (22G, 13A); followed by Ty Thompson (25G, 1A) with the most goals on the team with 25. Tonight Thompson (5G) scored on two shots that had the fans on their feet. He told us the box lax terms for the underhand reverse shot is referred to as a flip shot and the behind the back shot is called a backhand shot, well both came in handy as Thompson has consecutive five goal performances on Thursday Night Lacrosse games this season.
Also of note was John Ranagan (4G); Brian Kormondy (3G, 1A); Ryan McNamara (3G, 1A); and Simoneau with a hat-trick, rising to the occasion with an All-Star performance. John Galloway (10 SV, 3GB) was solid in the cage and as always, decisive and accurate with his outlet passes, his teammate since College days, Joel White (7GB) vacuuming up the loosies along with teammate, Drew Simoneau (7GB).
Though Baptiste won 23-37, it seemed the Rattlers Defense was focused on not allowing the fast break off of the face-off to score. They play well together as a unit; are all great on transition and carrying the rock over the midfield stripe, to start a fast break of their own.
Rattler Goalkeeper, Blaze Riorden took over for Galloway in the fourth quarter and was tested quickly, using his quick reflexes he pitched a perfect shutout. Facing and saving (2SOG, 2SV) two shots on goal in 9:31 of action. The Rattlers were eight for eight scoring on the backup net-minder Cameron Bell who had zero saves for Boston in his 12:59 of playing time.
With three games going on today, the MLL could have a tie for first at the end of the day, but for now the Ratz sit atop the league’s standings, alone in the Lone Star State…Yee Haw…
My players of the game are:
Drew Simoneau (3G); Ty Thompson (5G); Jordan Wolf (2G, 3A); John Ranagan (4G); Brian Kormondy and Ryan McNamara with hat tricks and an assist each. Cody Radziewicz (2G); Galloway’s leadership and the skills of the D-poles are big keys in the Rattlers successful start this season.
They play next against the defending champs the Ohio Machine, who handed Dallas one of its two losses this season, the other at the hands of the Hounds (5-2). Charlotte plays the Atlanta Blaze (3-3) in Atlanta tonight at 7 PM EST. A win would put them back into a tie for first place with the Rattlers.
Boston has a Bye week and plays next at home against the New York Lizards (3-3) on June 23rd at 6 PM EST.
Tom Coyne, Beat Writer Dallas Rattlers
Lacrosse is Awesome