WHEN: Today, 7:00PM
WHERE: Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium
Annapolis, MD
BAYHAWKS
Entering a home-field advantage with only one win so far this season, this is the perfect opportunity for Chesapeake to renew their momentum for the 2014 season.
Last week, the Bayhawks fell to the newly founded Florida Launch, who with Casey Powell on their roster have been tearing up the opposition this year. Chesapeake’s match up today has more history behind it, and a team that’s been around for a few seasons. There’s more available to the Bayhawks to build preparations off of.
Look for the Hawks to continue their offensive pressures, while also focusing on a new approach to defensive pressure. They’ll want to learn from their loss to the Launch last week to be prepared for the rest of the season.
Statistically, face offs are the shortcoming of the Bayhawks this season, winning only 43-of-104.
MACHINE
Coming to an away game with an identical 1-3 record is not ideal for the Machine. They won their first game of the season, and have been struggling ever since.
Ohio lost their previous matchup with the Lizards who have become an offensive powerhouse this season. There seem to be no clear answers or direction for the team in their turnaround efforts.
Peter Baum leads the Machine’s offense with 13 points on the season thus far (10 goals, 3 assists). Kyle Harrison, coming from the LXM Pro Tour, follows in second with 10 points (6 goals, 4 assists). The Machine also have Marcus Holman at 9 points and Steele Stanwick with 8 points.
The offense is there, and their face off record of 42-103 is also identical to the Bayhawks’ draw percentage.
WHO TO WATCH
Jesse Bernhardt, a defensive midfielder for Chesapeake, will be reunited with his brother tonight. Jake Bernhardt is a midfielder for Ohio, and they two will certainly go at their sibling rivalry tonight.
Brendan Mundorf already leads the team on the season with 12 points (8 goals, 4 assists), and is followed closely by Steven Brooks with 8 points (5 goals, 1 two-point-goal, 2 assists).
Ohio has the offensive unit with more contributors than Chesapeake. Just as with face offs, a defensive strategy needs to be developed.
PREDICTION
These two teams have ideal match ups playing each other this weekend. They come into the match practically mirroring each other, and either team provides the other with the perfect opportunity to work on their weaknesses.
Bayhawks 14
Machine 12
