Bayhawks Beat Lizards to Launch MLL's 10th Season
by Caitlain Kelley | MajorLeagueLacrosse.com
ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Ten years ago the Baltimore
Bayhawks, now Chesapeake Bayhawks, played the Long Island Lizards
in Major League Lacrosse’s inaugural game. On that night, the
Bayhawks recorded a 16-13 victory. Unfortunately for the Lizards,
the Bayhawks repeated history, defeating Long Island 16-8, to open
the 2010 season.
The Bayhawks came out sluggish with the dynamic duo of Zack Greer
and Matt Danowski, one of the best attack combinations in NCAA
history at Duke, starting the game for the Lizards. Anthony
Muscarella followed Greer by putting one in making it a 2-0 game.
The third shot was the charm for Brian Vetter and the Bayhawks;
after two straight misses, Vetter scored on his third attempt of
the possession for two-points with Kyle Dixon putting in a
two-pointer of his own to give the Bayhawks their first lead of the
game.
Starting the second quarter on top, the Bayhawks continued to
dominate the scoreboard throughout the night. Peet Poillon had
seven points in two games last season, but tonight he came out
firing and put in three of his five goals in the second quarter.
The Lizards offense was stymied by a Bayhawks defense that was
rebuilt in the off season. Danowski and Greg “The
Beast” Gurenlian posted the only points of the quarter for
the Lizards while their teammates made continuous trips to the
penalty box, ending the half at 10-4.
After stating his team “has got to stay out of the penalty
box” in the next half, Head Coach Jim Mule’s team
knocked two in without much resistance. When it looked like the
Lizards were going to turn it around, Dixon struck again with
another two-point goal; the 2009 MLL leading two-point goal scorer
found his groove, bringing the Bayhawks back to life. From there
Danny Glading and Poillon went back-to-back, reinforcing their
lead. However, before the third quarter could end, the
Lizards’ seemingly quiet duo from Duke got one back when
Greer found the net.
The Bayhawks’ stellar defense withstood the rush of the
Lizards attack in the beginning of the fourth and Poillon added
another to cap his five goal night. Throughout the game, the
Lizards were unable to make a scoring run to get them back in
contention. Twice the Lizards scored back to back goals, both
times the Bayhawks answered with three of their own. Alex
Smith’s solid performance on face-offs was key to giving the
Bayhawks extra possessions and killing the Lizard’s
momentum.
After the game, Bud Light MVP, Poillon, commented, “Everyone
was involved tonight; our defense holding that team to eight was
spectacular.” The new owner of the Chesapeake Bayhawks,
Brendan Kelly, must have planned for this win, as the night ended
with a firework celebration for all to enjoy.
Although the Bayhawks began the season as they did ten years ago,
they must continue to win in order to reach the 2010 MLL
Championship Weekend presented by Warrior. They have a tough
schedule ahead, facing the reigning champs, the Toronto Nationals,
and the Defenseman of the Year, Brodie Merrill.
The Lizards will have to regroup quickly; they play the Denver
Outlaws, who will also be looking to bounce back from an opening
night loss.
