One week after tying a season-low in goals the Charlotte Hounds once again set a new low-mark.
The Hounds (3-8) were shut-out in the fourth quarter en route to losing to the Rochester Rattlers (6-5) 14-5.
Matt Striebel scored two goals and added two assists to tie for the team lead in points with four and earned Player of the Game honors. It was Striebel’s 133rd career MLL game, passing Tim Goettlemann for first place as the league’s all-time leader in games played.
Rochester jumped out to an early 2-0 lead but Matt Danowski and Brian Carroll answered for the Hounds to end the first quarter in a 2-2 tie. It was all Rochester from there on out.
Rochester outscored Charlotte 4-1 to take a lead it would never relinquish and would outscore the Hounds 8-2 in the second half.
The Rattlers opened the second quarter with four consecutive goals, including two from Roy Lang (2 goals, 2 assists). Stephen Berger ended the Rattlers run with just 40 seconds remaining in the half to close the gap to 6-3 and seemingly give the Hounds some momentum.
When the third quarter opened Bill Bitter scored with only 1:22 gone by in the quarter to give the Hounds back-to-back goals and continue to cut into the lead.
The Rattlers would go on another 4-0 run, however, thanks to goals from Striebel, Kevin Leveille, Ned Crotty and Brad Ross that would put the game out of reach for Charlotte.
John Galloway continued his stretch of hot performances, allowing only five goals while making 15 saves.
Berger led Charlotte with three points (1 goal, 2 assists).
Jovan Miller, playing in his first game in back in Rochester after being traded from the Rattlers before the start of this season, registered no points and only one ground ball.
The Hounds will be eliminated from playoff contention should the Long Island Lizards (6-4) defeat the Hamilton Nationals (3-7) Saturday night.
The Rattlers are in a tie with the Boston Cannons for fourth and the final playoff spot.
