Being a rookie in the MLL can be tough. Since most MLL players hold down second jobs, traveling and training can be difficult. But despite the difficulty the rookies of the Charlotte Hounds seem to be putting forth great effort.
Sometimes the rookies who put forth great effort are the ones who live in your own backyard. Mike Sawyer is a Charlottean who has proven himself by being named MLL Player of the Week in his first week of playing in the MLL. Sawyer’s Loyola roots showed in his first game by tallying 1 goal and 2 assists. Sawyer’s loyalty to the greater Charlotte area and his scoring ability will definitely make him one of the fan favorites for games to come.
During the 2013 draft Matt White was picked 28th overall. From the 2013 draft to the present, I personally have felt that Matt White hasn’t gotten enough credit for what he has brought to the team. White has brought 4 goals and 2 assists to the table for the Hounds. White has also seemed to have found his rhythm as a midfielder for the Hounds.
I feel like Jake Tripuka kind of came out of nowhere. Tripuka’s first game was Hounds versus the Boston Cannons on 6/15. Jovan Miller was put on the practice squad after acquiring Tripuka in a trade with Hamilton. During last week’s game versus the Chesapeake Bayhawks, I felt that Tripuka had the Blue Devil spirit. What I mean by “Blue Devil spirit” is he had the tenacity during the Bayhawks game that he seemed to have when winning 2 NCAA Championship titles. That tenacity/Blue Devil spirit helped turn the tide versus the Bayhawks when the midfielder scored.
Hailing from Bryant, Mason Poli was the 27th overall 2013 draft pick. The long-stick defensive midfielder’s first game was in New York where he scored 1 goal unassisted at 6:20 in the 1 quarter. During the Chesapeake Bayhawks game on the 22nd he scored 2 goals and 1 assist. Poli is proving to be a valuable part of the team’s cohesiveness.
John Haus is a midfielder who the Hounds obtained by a trade with the Hamilton Nationals. Haus was the 15th overall draft pick by the Hamilton Nationals. The native North Carolinian from Chapel Hill has only played 3 games for the Hounds. During those games, his main contribution was picking up all the loose ground balls. Other than all the ground balls he’s scooped up, he seems to be non-existent on the stat sheet. I hope he’ll turn it out for the rest of the Hounds games because I’m ready to see the dynamic style of plays he had in college.
I rarely get upset at someone who is quoted in an interview saying “It’s all about whether I can fit it into my job schedule.” The person who said that on yalebulldogs.com (Official website of Yale’s University Athletics) website Q & A is none other than Michael McCormack. His “contribution” on the field is indicative of “It’s all about whether I can fit it into my job schedule.” attitude. With only 5 ground balls in 3 games his level of commitment just doesn’t seem to be there.
Since the rookies have started to play there seems to be a new energy on the field and team unity amongst the players. This for me being a fan of the Hounds is very exciting.
