It has been a tough year so far for the defending champion Chesapeake Bayhawks. So far this season, the Hawks are 1-5 and their lone win came in overtime. On the schedule upcoming is some of the toughest competition that the team will find this season with the Boston Cannons and Denver Outlaws their next two opponents respectively.
The Bayhawks have always had a steady lineup, which has always been to their benefit. The new additions have been in much different offenses, ones that have focused a lot on individual matchups, so coming into coach Dave Cottle’s team offense has been new to a lot of the players that the teams looks for production. Drew Westervelt has always been the goal scoring beneficiary of others work to break down the defenses. Ben Rubeor has played a complimentary role, so without someone to break down defenses in Cottle’s offensive system the team is looking to find its niche.
Kyle Dixon has been on the decline, but what would you expect after logging so many miles in the MLL. Michael Kimmel isn’t a feature midfielder either. Steven Brooks has come alive for the Hawks, as he is third on the team in scoring. Matt Mackrides has been asked to play a large part in the offense and he needs to more of a threat to the opposition.
The defense has been the focal point to the Bayhawks success. Brian Spallina being out means that the backbone to the defense is missing. With Spallina in the lineup, opposition isn’t likely going to spend much time in the middle. Michael Evans is a bruising defenseman, maybe the toughest in the game. He will let you know he is covering you from the first whistle to last.
Brian Megill and Jesse Bernhardt are going to be stars in the league, but in this line up they are playing a secondary role. Both can play in transition and are steady defenseman. Nicky Polanco is the other long time MLL product. His foot speed has slowed some, but he is still a good defender. With the team at such a low point in the system, it might be time for the champs to look to change up the defensive rotation.
Matt Abbott and Jeff Reynolds will hold steady at the defensive midfield position. Ben Hunt has come up with a couple important goals during what may be considered a dry spell. Jason Noble can lead the host of long pole middies with CJ Costabile between the arches. Joe Walters may need to be counted on for more with reigning MVP Brendan Mundorf. The individual dodging systems that they have come from might be a blessing in disguise. If they can find more movement in the players without the ball in their stick then having Walters and Mundorf dodge will create much more offensive production.
The question stands, can the Bayhawks turn their season around? The college youth movement has been underway with the new teams coming into the MLL ranks. Florida, even though they have Casey Powell, has been playing with Garrett Thul, Kevin Crowley, and Tucker Durkin patrolling the field. Charlotte and Ohio are keeping their rosters young with the additions that they add via the draft each January.
With that in mind, the Bayhawks need to take more focus on the draft that is coming this January. The days of keeping rosters stocked with veterans is changing. With the amount of talent in the league and the aging veterans who have played in seemingly all the battles since the beginning of the MLL are moving ever closer to retirement. Without a significant draft in the next two years, the Bayhawks could be staring up at the playoff caliber teams for years to come.
