Nationals Split Series With 14-12 Victory

Thanks to a 14-12 victory on Saturday night the Hamilton Nationals split their weekend series with the Ohio Machine. The victory keeps Hamilton ahead of Ohio in the standings after one day of being tied with a 2-7 record.

Hamilton pushed ahead early, scoring two quick goals to start off the game. Ohio responded with a two pointer from Kyle Hartzell to tie things up, but Crowley scored two goals of his own to extend the lead back to two goals. Woodson closed out the scoring in the quarter with a shot that got by Rodgers.

Garrett Billings finished off his hat trick with two goals to start the second, both in the first three minutes. It only took seven seconds for Billings to score the first of the two goals. Ohio fought back, something they have gotten used to doing in the past few weeks. Megill and Martin scored to close the gap to 6-5.

While Ohio did score two times in the third frame, the four goal run for Hamilton gave them a solid lead back again. Jamieson had two goals in the run. That gave Hamilton a three goal lead going into the final quarter, a lead they would hold on to.

Hamilton and Ohio exchanged blows twice to start the quarter with goals from Crowley, Casey, Thompson, and Stanwick. Martin scored to tighten things back up, but Keogh and Jamieson’s goals make it very difficult for any comeback. Ohio scored one goal, but it was two little two late. Down by two points, Kyle Hartzell took a two point shot from way out that was saved by Rodgers. The Nationals ran down the clock to leave the field victorious.

Billings, Crowley, and Jamieson each had three goals for the Nationals. Keogh and Jeremy Thompson each netted a pair. Rodgers made 17 saves on 27 shots in his first victory of the season. Hamilton is now 3-7 on the season. They play the Lizards on Saturday in Long Island.

Casey, Stanwick, and Martin each scored two goals for the Machine. Hartzell scored a two pointer, his eighth of the season. Stefan Schroder made 11 saves on 25 shots in the loss. Ohio is 2-8 and hosts the first place Chesapeake Bayhawks on Saturday night.