New faces, big result
Revamped Bayhawks beat Lizards, 17-14
Chesapeake Bayhawks fans got their first live look at the franchise’s revamped roster and had to be pleased by what they saw. Team management performed a major makeover with most of the personnel changes coming on the offensive end. A flurry of eight trades along with some waiver wire pickups brought a bunch of new faces to Annapolis. Early returns are encouraging as Chesapeake has won two in a row since overhauling the lineup.
Midfielder Joe Walters (Maryland) amassed seven points on three goals and four assists as the Bayhawks beat the first-place New York Lizards, 17-14, before an announced 14,352 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
Attackman Brendan Mundorf (UMBC, Mount Saint Joseph) scored three goals for Chesapeake (6-4), which won its second game in the past week and took over sole possession of third place in Major League Lacrosse.
Attackman Jay Carlson (Maryland, St. Paul’s), claimed off waivers last week, made his Bayhawks debut and contributed a goal and three assists. Midfielder Myles Jones, whose acquisition started the team’s flurry of trades, had two goals and two assists.
Jones, whom the expansion Atlanta Blaze had made the No. 1 pick in the this year’s MLL college draft, has 11 points in three games since being traded to Chesapeake.
The Bayhawks scored 33 goals in two games this week and coach Brian Reese is pleased with the way the offense has been clicking. He cited the playmaking of attackman Matt Donovan, who made his season debut this week after sitting out the initial eight games with a shoulder injury.
“We’re getting a lot of player movement, a lot of ball movement. Having Matt Donovan back there as our quarterback really helps our offense flow a little better,” Reese said. “Guys are buying into their roles and doing what they’re supposed to do.”
Midfielder Kevin Cooper (Archbishop Spalding, Maryland) landed Tuesday as part of four trade-deadline deals, provided a lift with a hat trick. Cooper, who began this season with the Blaze, scored two of his goals in the first quarter.
“I was just happy to be on the receiving end of some great passes. My teammates made a lot of really great looks to me and I was fortunate enough to finish,” Cooper said. “It’s great to be back home and great to be back playing with this organization.”
Goalie Brian Phipps (Maryland, Severn) made 19 saves to backstop a strong defensive effort for Chesapeake, which contained an offense that came in averaging more than 17 goals per game. Phipps made seven saves in the first quarter to set the tone and later had a huge stop to thwart a two-man advantage by New York.
“It was a great week for the Bayhawks. Not only winning two big games, but being together and bonding over the last four days,” Phipps said. “There’s been a lot of changes, but the new additions have given the team a lift.”
Attackman Rob Pannell had seven points to lead the Lizards (6-3), who cut a nine-goal lead to three midway through the fourth quarter. Midfielder Paul Rabil (Johns Hopkins) scored three goals, one of which was a 2-pointer, for New York.
Chesapeake outscored New York 9-1 in the second quarter to take control of the game. Jones had two goals and an assist while Walters and Carlson each contributed a goal and an assist during the run.
Close defenseman Callum Robinson (Stevenson) closed out the dominating period by scoring a 2-point goal off a fast break to give the Bayhawks a 12-4 lead at the half.
New York appeared to cut the deficit to 16-12 with 8:57 remaining in the fourth quarter, but the goal by faceoff specialist Greg Gurenlian was wiped out when officials ruled he had an illegal stick. Reese called for the stick check on Gurenlian, who dominated the draws throughout the game.
After Gurenlian was assessed a oneminute nonreleasable penalty, Rabil scored a 2-point goal, cutting the deficit to 16-13 with 8:13 remaining.
ET CETERA: On Chesapeake’s inactive list were two of the team’s best players: close defenseman Michael Evans (back injury) and attackman Matt Danowski (personal reasons). … Faceoff specialist Anthony Kelly was also inactive for the first time this season. Other players not dressing were midfielders Tyler German, Greg Cohalon and Matt Bertrams. … Chesapeake picked up recent Loyola Maryland graduate Jason Crane through the college waiver draft. Crane did not play as a senior because of a university-imposed suspension. … Chris Piccirilli (Archbishop Spalding) started on close defense for New York.