The Ohio Machine are preparing to enter their third season as a member of Major League Lacrosse (MLL). Following a 2-14 sophomore season for the Machine, things are looking a lot brighter for this very young and talented collection of lacrosse players. They had breakout performances last season by rookies. They can only hope those rookies have a stellar sophomore season as the team looks to break out as the league’s bottom dwellers.
The Machine’ offense was led last season by rookie Logan Schuss. Schuss appeared in 11 games, posting 35 points on 28 goals and 7 assists. Schuss, an Ohio State alum, was in contention for the MLL rookie-of-the-year last season. He posted stellar stats as a rookie and will look to have a greater showing in his sophomore season.
Another star that the Machine depended heavily on last season was second-year attacker out of Virginia University Steele Stanwick. Stanwick recorded 32 points last season on 12 goals and 20 assists. Stanwick is the leader of the Machine offense and everything runs through him. The stats prove this as he posted a stellar 20 assists. Stanwick is defiantly a player that any team would love to have and the Machine have him to lead their offense in 2014.
Joe Cummings is another stellar attacker that the Machine have slated on their 2014 roster. Cummings recorded 25 points last season on 20 goals and 5 assists. Marcus Holeman was another one of those impressive rookies for the Machine as he posted 18 points on 14 goals and 4 assists.
The Machine lacked a powerful offensive attack last season but with their top four point-producers last season being either rookies or second-year players, the offense can only look to improve for the upcoming 2014 MLL season.
Defense was one of the Machine’s few strong suites last season. The defense was led by players such as Kyle Hartzell, Max Schmidt, and Chad Weidmaier. They also have names such as Greg Bice, Ray Megill, and Joe Smith on their roster. The defense is the opposite of the other positional groups on the team as the average years-played was 6.5. The defense has a strong veteran presence and that led to success last season.
The most notable weakness for the Machine in both their inaugural season and their sophomore season would be the goalkeeper position. Brian Phipps saw the most action as he played in 9 games posting a 12.35 goals allowed average (GAA). Scott Rodgers appeared in 5 games posting a 13.99 GAA and Stefan Schroder appeared in two games posting a 13.15 GAA. There is no clear choice who the Machine will look to, to defend man the net in the 2014 season as of yet.
The Machine have made just one off-season move thus far. They traded defenseman Diogo Godoi and their 2014 third-round draft pick to the Boston Cannons in exchange for three-year veteran Brain Farrell. Farrell appeared in 31 games in those three seasons with the Cannons recording 14 goals and 7 assists for 23 points. He also scooped up 74 groundballs. He’ll be added to a strong veteran presence of the Ohio Machine defense.
When the United States National team began their search for their eventual 40-man roster, they started with over 90 players in all. Six Machine players appeared on the 90-man list. These players included Jake Bernhardt (Midfielder), Kyle Hartzell (Defenseman), Marcus Holman (Attacker), Steele Stanwick (Attacker), Chad Wiedmaier (Defenseman), and Chazz Woodson (Attacker).
Recently, the 90-man list was reduced to 52. These 52 men would make the official U.S. Men’s National Team training roster. Kyle Hartzell, Marcus Holeman, and Steele Stanwick’s names appeared on the roster. These three Machine players will look to make that final 40-man roster and represent the United States in the upcoming 2014 Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) World Championships.
Along with Hartzell, Holeman, and Stanwick, newly acquired defenseman Brian Farrell also made the list of 52 players for the U.S. Men’s National Team training roster.
Along with everything Machine related dealing with their players, the Machine and head coach Bear Davis reached an agreement that will allow Davis to coach the team for the 2014 season.
Attackers
-Logan Schuss – Entering second MLL season (Ohio State University)
-Steele Stanwick – Entering third MLL season (Virginia University)
-Joe Cummings – Entering third MLL season (Maryland University)
-Jim Connolly – Entering fifth MLL season (Massachusetts University)
Midfielders
-Dominique Alexander – Entering second MLL Season (Ohio State University)
-John Austin – Entering second MLL season (Delaware University)
-Jake Bernhardt – Entering second MLL season (Maryland University)
-Marshall Burkhart – Entering third MLL season (John Hopkins University)
-Chase Carraro – Entering second MLL season (Denver University)
-Greg Downing – Entering sixth MLL season (Fairfield University)
-Jeff Ledwick – Entering second MLL season (Colgate University)
-Kiel Matisz – Entering fifth MLL season (Robert Morris University)
-Eric O’Brien – Entering third MLL season (Ohio State University)
-Gerry Reilly – Entering eighth MLL season (Georgetown University)
-Chazz Woodson – Entering twelfth MLL season (Brown University)
Defenders
-Greg Bice – Entering eleventh MLL season (Ohio State University)
-Brian Farrell – Entering fourth MLL season (Maryland University)
-Kyle Hartzell – Entering seventh MLL season (Salisbury State University)
-Ray Megill – Entering ninth MLL season (Maryland University)
-Max Schmidt – Entering third MLL season (Maryland University)
-Joe Smith – Entering eleventh MLL season (Towson University)
Goalkeepers
-Brian Phipps – Entering fouth MLL season (Maryland University)
-Scott Rodgers – Entering fifth MLL season (Notre Dame University)
Injured Reserved
-Connor Martin – Midfielder
Practice Squad
-Matt Cafarelli – Defense
-Will Harrington – Midfielder
-Chris Lightner – Defense
-Kevin Mack – Midfielder
-Mike Noone – Midfielder
-Stefan Schroder – Goalkeeper
