Major League Lacrosse, the premier professional outdoor lacrosse league, announced the weekly award winners for week 4 of the 2013 season, which concluded on May 19. The winners are chosen every week by MLL Commissioner David Gross and are based on outstanding in-game achievements. Boston’s Ryan Boyle was named Warrior Offensive Player of the Week, while Denver’s Lee Zink earned Warrior Defensive Player of the Week. Cascade Rookie of the Week went to Mike Sawyer of the Charlotte Hounds.
Boyle spun by two Chesapeake defenders, left his feet at goal line extended himself and found nylon behind goalie Kip Turner, to give Boston their first win of the 2013 season. The Player of the Game struck with one second remaining on the shot clock in overtime, to fuel the Cannons past the previously undefeated Chesapeake Bayhawks 15-14. The overtime goal was Boyle’s third of the night, and eighth game-winning goal of his career. Boyle added two assists in the Bayhawks defeat to improve his MLL all-time assist record to 242. The attackman broke the MLL all-time points record the previous weekend against Denver, and now sits atop the League with 405 career points. This season the captain has collected 10 points, including four goals and six assists. Boston will look to build on their success as they meet the Denver Outlaws for the second time this season on Friday, May 31, at 9:30 p.m. (ET).
Zink shut down Ned Crotty and the Rochester Rattlers en route to a 20-7 victory for the Denver Outlaws, in their 2013 home debut at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. With the win, Denver advances to 4-0, and gains sole possession of first place. The 2012 MLL Defensive Player of the Year took Crotty completely out of the game, limiting last week’s Warrior Offensive Player of the Week to a single shot. Zink helped anchor Denver’s defensive unit, which never allowed more than two goals per quarter. Rochester’s seven goals is the smallest goals-against for the Denver defense this season. These two Warrior weekly winners square off at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on Friday, May 31, at 9:30 p.m. (ET).
Sawyer scored a goal and added two assists for the Hounds in a crushing 16-15 overtime loss to the undefeated Hamilton Nationals. This was the MLL debut for the number eight overall draft pick. Sawyer stems from Loyola University Maryland, and was a member of the 2012 NCAA National Championship team. His two assists went to midfielder Jovan Miller, and Sawyer got his helper from former teammate Eric Lusby. The attackman’s three points lead all rookies thus far. Sawyer and the Hounds next take the field Friday, May 31, at 7:30 p.m. (ET) against the New York Lizards.
