The Rochester Rattlers and Boston Cannons square off in the final week of the 2014 MLL regular season this Saturday, August 9th @ 7 pm at Harvard Stadium.
The Cannons need some help to clinch a playoff berth—they need both a win over Rochester and an Ohio loss to Florida on Saturday night. That scenario would leave the Cannons and Machine tied for 4th place with 7-7 records. The Cannons would claim the final playoff spot due to the season series sweep over Ohio (2-0). A Cannons loss on Saturday or an Ohio win would leave the Cannons out of the MLL playoffs for the 2nd consecutive season.
As if the aforementioned scenario is not enough for the Cannons, they will be without star midfielder PaulRabil who suffered an injury to his left foot during the 2nd quarter of Week 13’s game vs. Florida. X-rays showed a fracture to the 5th metatarsal in the left foot, subsequently ending his 2014 campaign. Rabil underwent surgery this past week.
The Rattlers on the other hand are in better shape heading into Week 14. Major League Lacrosse announced that Rochester is the only team currently holding a position to end the season no lower than second place in the standings, in turn guaranteeing them the opportunity to host one of the two semi-final games on Saturday, August 16th.
Arguably no one has been hotter for the Rattlers in recent weeks than Mark Cockerton. Major League Lacrosse named Cockerton Week 13’s Cascade Rookie of the Week (2nd time this season). Cockerton and the Rattlers will look to hold onto 1st place and create some momentum headed into playoffs. On the opposite side of the field, it is already a playoff game for the Cannons. They have nothing to lose and will lay everything out on the field Saturday night.
