We are officially at the midpoint of the 2015 Major League Lacrosse season. With that, lets hand out some midseason awards.
Rookie of the (Mid) Year: Joey Sankey, Charlotte. While this is very premature seeing as some rookies have not even signed a contract yet, Sankey has had an insane start. The UNC product has 14 points (8 goals, 1 2-point goal, and 5 assists) in just two games. You will be hard pressed to find any other player in MLL history to put up numbers like this in his first two games.
Coach of the (Mid) Year: Bear Davis, Ohio. The Machine have won four of the last five games and aside from New York, are the hottest team in the league. The offense is balanced and seems to have worked out their early season kinks, Davis picked up an unknown in Greg Puskuldjian who has been great at the X, the defense has given up the second lowest amount of goals, and Brian Phipps is having a career year. Honorable Mention: Joe Spallina, New York. We expected New York to be elite and Spallina is managing his stars well.
Goalie of the (Mid) Year: Drew Adams, New York. Adams is overshadowed by all of the outstanding offensive players on this team, but he leads the league with a 10.45 goals against average, fourth in save percentage at .567, and giving up the least amount of goals for any netminder who has appeared in all seven games. Honorable Mention:Tyler Fiorito, Chesapeake.
Defensive of the (Mid) Year: Dillon Roy, Denver. Roy has matched up against the opponent’s top scorer. He has been outstanding holding most under their season averages and in some weeks, shutting them down completely.
FOGO of the (Mid) Year: Greg Gurenlian, New York. The Beast is converting 78 percent (135-178) at the X. For perspective, Gurenlian set the MLL record for faceoff win percentage in 2013 at 64 percent.
Offensive of the (Mid) Year: Jordan Wolf, Rochester. Wolf is tied for the MLL lead in points (35), second in goals (21), and third in assists (14). Wolf also leads the league in shooting percentage at .429 of those shooters that have shot more than 35 shots.Honorable Mention: Rob Pannell, New York. While Pannell is neck and neck with Wolf in all categories, he is shooting .232
MVP of the (Mid) Year: Paul Rabil, New York. The trade to New York lifted the Lizards from a good team to an elite team. Rabil is the best player on the best team and has made the young Lizards around him better with his leadership ability.
Week 8 Game Balls
Kevin Buchanan, Boston: Buchanan led the Cannons with three goals, one two-pointer, and an assist over the Launch. His goal early in the fourth quarter ended up being the game-winner as Florida could not keep up with the Boston offense.
Rob Pannell, New York: The Cornell alum tallied seven points with five goals and two assists. Pannell scored the last two goals of the second and the first two goals of the third as the Lizards pulled away from Charlotte.
Sam Somers, Rochester: The 51st overall pick in the 2015 collegiate draft made his MLL debut in place of John Galloway leading the Rattlers to a win over Chesapeake. The West Point grad made 12 saves including five in the fourth quarter giving up only one goal in final frame after a 10-all tie after three quarters.
Marcus Holman, Ohio: The third year star scored six times and added an assist as Ohio scored their first ever victory in the Rocky Mountains.
Week 8 MLL Top 8
1- New York (6-0). Should be 7-0 after this weekend against the Hounds.
2- Rochester (4-3). Tough matchup with the much improved Cannons.
3- Ohio (4-3). Can they make it five wins in the last six games?
4-Denver (4-3). Need to regroup after stinging loss at home last week.
5- Boston (4-3). Young guns are starting to hit their stride.
6- Chesapeake (3-4). Can the defense shut down an angry Outlaws attack?
7- Charlotte (1-6). Will Sankey come down to earth or continue his torrid start?
8- Florida (1-6). Good luck against the Lizards.
Brendan McDaniels is a color analyst for the MLL Television broadcasts and can be seen this Sunday, June 7 at 1 pm as the Rattlers host the Cannons on ESPN3. Follow Brendan on Twitter @BMcDTWCSports.
