MLL Week 12 Preview ? Chesapeake at Boston

8/1/10 7:00 AM

MLL Week 12 Preview – Chesapeake at Boston

By: Meg Andrews

The Boston Cannons head into the twelfth and final week of the 2010 regular Major League Lacrosse season having already accomplished numerous goals. Not only have they clinched a spot at Championship Weekend presented by Warrior, they have clinched the number one seed. After their third win against the Denver Outlaws last Saturday, the Cannons won the regular season with an 8-3 record. This weekend they look to cap off an undefeated season at home when they host the Chesapeake Bayhawks.

Individual Cannons players have been shining across the field in the weeks leading up to the championship. Attackman Matt Poskay broke the Cannons single season goal record with his first goal Saturday, he has 42 on the season. Poskay also now holds the all-time scoring record for the Cannons with 137 goals. Cannons goaltender Kip Turner was named BudLight Game MVP for his 17 saves against the Outlaws and defenseman Ryan McClay was named MLL Defensive Player of the Week. He collected nine groundballs and scored a goal against the Outlaws. And attackman Max Quinzani was named MLL Rookie of the Week for his three goals and one assist against Denver.

The Cannons will face-off against the Chesapeake Bayhawks Saturday August 7 at 7pm at the Cannons home field, Harvard Stadium. If the Cannons beat the Bayhawks, they will be the first team in Cannons’ history to have a perfect record at home and the fourth team in MLL history.

The Bayhawks will show the Cannons how determined they are to go after the title during Saturday’s game.After losing six consecutive games, the Bayhawks defeated the Chicago Machine 20-12 last weekend to secure a playoff spot.

Bayhawks midfielder Kyle Dixon recorded four points while goalie Chris Garrity recorded 14 saves during the game against the Machine. Midfielders Brian Carroll, Ben Hunt and Jed Prossner all totaled two goals and an assist and Michael Kimmel and Peet Poillon along with attackman Andrew “Buggs” Combs scored two goals apiece for the Bayhawks.

The Bayhawks will strive to keep a winning streak going into Championship Weekend. “Our goal is to win a championship…I’m not satisfied with just making the playoffs,” Chesapeake Bayhawks Head Coach Brendan Kelly stated. “We’ve got a great opportunity to win a championship on our home field.”

Although the Bayhawks will have the advantage of playing on their home field at the end of August, the Cannons are focusing on their own home field advantage this weekend. “We left Denver with one thing on our minds, finishing the regular season playing well and remaining unbeaten at home,” Boston Head Coach Bill Daye stated. “We're going to be focused on keeping the momentum rolling right into the postseason and keep building on our previous game(s).”

Saturday’s matchup may not be the last time these two teams meet during the 2010 season. If the standings remain the same, the Cannons and the Bayhawks could potentially play each other during the semifinal game on Saturday August 21 during Championship Weekend at Navy Marine Corp Stadium in Annapolis, MD. Saturday’s contest will be a great insight on how both these teams will perform during Championship Weekend.

The game will be broadcast live on Universal Sports, Cox Sports Rhode Island, Cox Sports New Orleans, Brighthouse (Orlando & Tampa), and ESPN3.com. Comcast SportsNet New England will show the game on tape delay on Sunday.

You can also log into www.majorleaguelacrosse.com fifteen minutes before faceoff to join our live blog and chat presented by Warrior.com.

2010 Major League Lacrosse Championship Weekend presented by Warrior

August 21-22, Annapolis, MD

For information and tickets go to www.majorleaguelacrosse.com