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Cannons Drop Another Heartbreaker, Await Playoff Scheduling August 10, 2009 -- In Thursday night’s Major League Lacrosse game between the Boston Cannons and the Washington Bayhawks, the visitors from the nation's capital held only three leads through the whole game. They led early, 1-0 and 2-1, but their third lead, 14-13, came with 3.5 seconds remaining in the contest, as they handed the Cannons a season ending loss in front of 9,340 fans at Harvard Stadium.
The Cannons dazzled the Harvard Stadium crowd with a handful of highlight reel-worthy goals for three quarters, but a 6-0 run by the Bayhawks in the final 10:37 - including the winner with 3.5 seconds left - sent the Cannons to a loss in their regular-season finale.
The loss pushed the Cannons to 6-6 for the season, as they await the remaining results from the weekend to determine their seeding position of the MLL Playoff weekend on August 22 and 23.
Matt Alrich insisted the Cannons wouldn’t do this again when the Major League Lacrosse playoffs are held Aug. 22-23 in Annapolis, Md.
“I guarantee we’re going to go down to Annapolis, and we’re going to win two games,’’ he said.
In the four-team MLL playoffs, two wins mean a championship.
Until then, Cannons coach Bill Daye acknowledged his team needs to overcome its problem in the fourth quarter. Boston finished 6-6, with all the losses by 1 point.
“We are a very talented team, but we don’t always play smart. This is a league where everyone is good”, quipped Boston coach Bill Daye. “Instead of taking the air out of the ball (in the 4th quarter), we need to play with our heads”, he said, pointing with both hands at his own head to emphasize the point.
In the Cannons’ final two games, they squandered five-goal leads each time, losing both.
Tied at 13, the Cannons had possession with 1:30 left. An initial shot by Rabil flew wide and, with the 60-second shot clock off, Boston had the chance to take the last shot. Cannons attackman John Christmas lost control on a bid in front of the net and Washington goalie Chris Garrity won possession.
Midfielder Peet Poillon took advantage when the Cannons defense was out of position on an out-of-bounds play and struck from 15 feet with 3.5 seconds left, keeping the Bayhawks’ playoff hopes alive for a day. But Long Island was able to defeat the Chicago Machine the following day, removing any chances the 5-7 Bayhawks had of advancing to Annapolis
After the game, the Cannons gave out their season ending awards. Though one or two players looked a little dejected following the loss, they acknowledged the Cannons vocal fan base, who remained behind for the awards ceremony. Kyle Sweeney took defensive player of the year, Rabil took offensive player and team MVP, and Poskay and Matt Casey took fans player and 11th man awards respectively.
Rabil finished the regular season with 53 points, on 33 goals, 8 2-pointers, and 12 assists. Unless Toronto’s Merrick Thompson delivers a nine point effort in his team's season finale on Saturday, Rabil will take the league scoring championship. |
| More Cannons Headlines | Headline - 8/23/2009 Cannons Come Up Short Again | | | | Headline - 8/17/2009 Chris Eck Receives Most Improved MLL Player of the Year | | | |
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