The Ohio Machine are preparing to enter their sophomore season of their franchise. Now, just a few days shy of their first game of the 2013 season, the Ohio Machine are looking better than ever before. With the Denver Outlaws heading into town come Saturday, the Machine are going to have a tough start to this season.
The biggest story line that comes with the Ohio Machine is how Sophomore Steele Stanwick will perform. In just nine games last season, he netted 11 goals and 17 assists. These numbers are staggering for someone who only took the field 9 times. Stanwick is the focal point of the Machine’s offense. Stanwick is just as good of a passer as he is a scorer. He always seems to find the open man for the season goals. This is something special that comes with Stanwick, his passing ability. Stanwick will be with the Machine for every game this season and will look to put up some huge numbers.
The Machine may just have a story that reflects Stanwick’s last season. Peter Baum will join the team following his senior collegiate season at Colgate University. Baum was the first overall pick in the most recent MLL Collegiate draft and the Machine expect big things from him. Baum is a pure scorer. He gets the ball into the back of the net, simple as that. Just imagine what the Machine offense will look like when Baum joins Stanwick. Two young, talented players, working off of each other. This Stanwick, Baum connection could be something special for the Machine.
Let’s not forget the pieces that the Machine will return for this upcoming season. Veteran attacker Chazz Woodson will be back. Woodson is still quick and agile and loves to get the fans on their feet with very athletic goals. Woodson lead the Machine in points last season. Jim Connolly also will return for the Machine after an impressive 2012 season. Needless to say, the Machine are going to put up some solid numbers this season.
The Machine will also bring back some key members of their midfield positions. Connor Martin will be back and he was impressive in 2012. Martin and Connolly were tied for second in points for the Machine last season. Joining martin in the midfield will be Joe Cummings, Brett Garber, and Kiel Matisz when he returns from the NLL.
The Machine will bring back their face-off specialist Eric O’Brien. O’Brien was near the league’s best in face-off’s last season. The beginning of the season he was the best, but as the second half of the season came, O’Brien was anything but impressive. The Machine are going to need O’Brien to step up and become that dominate face-off presence for them this season.
The Machine’s defense is looking solid as well. With Max Schmidt, Greg Brice, and Ray Megill on the roster and with Kyle Hartzell joining them following the NLL season, the Machine’s defense is looking pretty solid. The only question mark that still remains is who will be the goalkeeper.
Stefan Schroder played the net for the majority of the season as Brian Phipps subbed in every now and again. They have two other goalkeepers on their roster in Tim McCormack and Scott Rodgers. The Machine are going to need to find the best fit to man the net for them if they hope to have a successful season.
The Machine host the Denver Outlaws Saturday as the season opens up.
