After having a lack luster 2012 season and missing the playoffs with a 4-10 record, the Nationals were able to secure third place in the regular season with a 9-5 record.
The Nationals lost in the MLL Semi Finals last weekend by a score of 13-12 to the eventual MLL Champions; Chesapeake Bayhawks. The Nationals were looking strong in the semi final, taking an 11-8 lead into the fourth quarter, but a 5-1 run by the Bayhawks ended Hamilton’s season.
Hamilton had an impressive start of the season going 5-0 until losing to Denver on June 8th. The Nationals did finish on a losing note, dropping their last two games of the regular season; 14-11 vs. Charlotte and 18-12 vs. Denver.
There were some major bright spots for the Nats this season with the most notable being midfielder Kevin Crowley who was awarded the 2013 Warrior Season MVP along with the 2013 Brine Offensive Player of the Year. Crowley led all Nationals players in scoring and tied for first in league scoring with 38 goals, 3 – 2PT goals and 14 assists in 14 games for 55 points.
Three Nationals players; Crowley, Brodie Merrill and Tucker Durkin were all named to the All-MLL Team. Merrill scored two goals and picked up 91 loose balls on longpole for the Nationals. Durkin registered 24 loose balls in 11 games in 2013.
The Nationals will look to advance to the MLL Finals in 2014 with many key veterans scheduled to return next season. Don’t forget to watch these stars in the NLL this winter.
