When: Thursday, May 12 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium
Watch: Lax Sports Net
Boston, MA (May 10, 2016) – The Boston Cannons of Major League Lacrosse (MLL), the premier professional outdoor lacrosse league will take on the undefeated Chesapeake Bayhawks on Thursday, May 12 in Annapolis for a 7:30 p.m. opening face-off.
Flashback to last season, July 16 to be precise. The date is significant because it is the last time that the two teams saw one another. The Cannons slipped past the Bayhawks in overtime 9-8 thanks to a goal from Max Seibald. The win gave Boston a playoff bid for the first time since the 2012 season.
This time around Tyler Fiorito will not be opposing the Cannons, he will be part of them. The former Chesapeake goaltender is 1-1 this season and carries a 13.50 goals against average. The game marks the first time that Fiorito will face his former club since being traded. His consistent play and leadership played crucial roles for the Cannons in their Week Two win against the Atlanta Blaze.
In the home opener victory, Boston outlasted the Blaze 13-12. There were several aspects on the field during the game that led to their win.
Craig Bunker and Joe Nardella completely transformed the face-off element from where it had been during the team’s Week One loss against the Charlotte Hounds. The pair combined for winning over 60% of the face-offs against Atlanta.
The backend of the field was strengthened as well, thanks to the acquisition of speedy midfielder Ryan Izzo. Izzo played alongside Brent Adams, Marty Bowes, and Josh Hawkins, helping hold the Blaze offense to just one goal during the third quarter.
Boston’s offense was fueled by Max Seibald and Will Manny. Seibald exploded for four goals, including a two-pointer, and Manny had a hat trick.
Come Thursday, the Cannons lineup will appear a bit different pending the return of Brodie Merrill and Mitch Belisle, who were both completing their NLL seasons.
Fourth round draft pick out of Stony Brook University, midfielder Challen Rogers looks to join the squad as well. During his stellar senior campaign with Stony Brook, Rogers discovered the back of the net 22 times and had a career high 37 assists.
Wells Stanwick continues to pose an offensive threat for the Cannons. Stanwick has five goals in two games after a total of four goals during his freshman MLL campaign last year. Cannons newcomer, Mike Begley has three goals on three shot attempts as well. Davey Emala, last year’s points leader has six points to begin the season.
Boston holds an 8-5 record over Chesapeake in all-time play. They look to be the team who hands the Bayhawks their first loss of the season.
On the Bayhawks side of things, Matt Danowski, Matt Abbott, and Matt Love lead the team in points. Danowski had an eight-point game in the Bayhawks victory of the Blaze. Joe Walters makes his return to the Chesapeake lineup after his NLL campaign has finished. It will be crucial for the Cannons defense to stand up similar to how they did against the Blaze.
The Cannons return home to square off against the Rochester Rattlers on May 14 at 7:00 at Harvard Stadium.