Week 9 continued to see rookies Rob Pannell and Eric Law put up big performances. However, Logan Schuss and Cameron Flint both had breakout games for their respective teams, with Flint garnering Cascade Rookie of the Week honors. How did the other rookies do? Take a look below and find out.
Charlotte Hounds
The Hounds continue to get production from their long pole defensemen. A week after posting two goals and an assist, Mason Poli added another goal to his name as he finished on a quick stick in the loss to the Denver Outlaws. Michael McCormack also recorded a goal as he finished on the inside as well. Both players should continue to see more playing time and be threats in transition.
Meanwhile, the offense continues to get solid production out of Mike Sawyer, Jake Tripucka and Matt White. Tripucka and White both had one goal a piece while Sawyer recorded his first career hat trick.
Ohio Machine
Although the Machine lost yet again, Logan Schuss had a career day with five goals and an assist. He finished the ball off several feeds from the inside. Meanwhile, Marcus Holman returned to the lineup and scored the first goal of the game as he made a couple of fakes and finished on the crease.
Dominique Alexander, Kevin Mack, and Jake Bernhardt all continue to contribute to the midfield unit as well, with Alexander and Mack providing youth and depth to the SSDM unit.
Rochester Rattlers
After reeling off three or more goals in the last three weeks, Ranagan had a quiet afternoon as he recorded one goal in the loss. His lone goal on the afternoon came on a sweep where he dodged from the right to left wing and unleashed a shot from about 10-12 yards in between the five hole.
Meanwhile, Dave Lawson had a breakout game for the Rattlers last week as he scored two goals and handed out three assists in the losing effort. Lawson was able to finish off a nice pass on the crease. He also made a nice in and out move as he dodged down the right side which created enough space for him to rip a goal past Lizards goaltender Drew Adams.
Boston Cannons
Will Manny continues to be a focal point of the Cannon attack. The former UMASS attackman scored two goals and handed out one assist last week. He now has 13 points on the season.
On the other hand, Cameron Flint had a breakout game with four goals and an assist. His three straight goals in the second quarter proved to be vital in the Cannons win this past week. Flint was also able to use his speed and agility to beat his defender and get off high percentage shots. For his efforts he was named Cascade Rookie of the Week.
Defensively, Scott Ratliff and Brendan Buckley both continue to see time down low. Ratliff recorded five more ground balls on the afternoon and continues to show a knack of getting the ball of the turf.
Chesapeake Bayhawks
Jesse Burnhardt continues to see time at LSM for the Bayhawks and continues to get the ball off the turf. Burnhardt had three more ground balls in the Bayhawks win over the Nationals and contribute on the defensive end as well. Meanwhile, Dom Sebastiani continues to spell the veterans on the team and is providing grit to the Bayhawk SSDM unit.
Hamilton Nationals
Mike Poppleton won 50 percent of his faceoffs last week, albeit, in a losing effort. He went 13-26 on the afternoon and is now 47-112 for the year. He will continue be the guy at the faceoff ‘X’ for the Nationals.
Meanwhile, on the defensive side of the ball Tucker Durkin and Jason Noble continue to get reps at both close defense and LSM respectively. Dillon Ward after debuting against New York on June 13, spelled Brian Queener last week. In the six minutes of playing time he saw he recorded one save and allowed one goal as well. He will not see much playing time due to the brilliance Queener has displayed in net for the Nationals so far this year.
New York Lizards
Pannell is quickly showcasing his ability to quarterback the Lizards offense and become one of, if not the, best player in Major League Lacrosse. Pannell has 21 points in five games and three consecutive five point performances after this past week. In the win over the Rochester Rattlers, Pannell had four goals and an assist. He scored a couple of times by beating his defender and getting to 5-and-5. He also snuck one past Rattler goalie John Galloway with a low angled shot.
Denver Outlaws
Eric Law is continuing to contribute to an explosive Denver Outlaw offense. The rookie attackman scored four goals and added an assist in the 17-11 win over the Charlotte Hounds. He continues to be one of the most efficient shooters in the game as he is shooting an eye-popping 76 percent. This game marked the third consecutive time that Law has recorded five points.
On the defensive end, LSM Brian Megill and SSDM Landon Carr both continue to see a lot of playing time. Megill recorded four more ground balls last week while continuing to make his presence felt on midfield. Meanwhile, Carr is improving the athleticism of the SSDM position for the Outlaws.
