Chesapeake defeats Long Island, 13-9, to take 2010 MLL Title

By Tom Peace

The Chesapeake Bayhawks defeated the Long Island Lizards, 13-9, in front of 6,445 fans at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium Aug. 22 to become the 2010 Major League Lacrosse champions.

The Bayhawks came into the game riding a three-game win streak, including a 13-9 win the No. 1 seed Boston Cannons in the semifinal game Aug. 21.

Both Chesapeake (8-6) and Long Island (8-6) were considered tournament underdogs coming into Championship Weekend. Long Island stunned the Denver Outlaws in the other semifinal game, 16-12.

The championship game started with Chesapeake in a familiar hole as the Lizards took a 2-0 lead. Long Island didn't have the lead for long as the Bayhawks responded with two quick goals of their own, including the first of two goals from attackman Danny Glading.

Long Island scored another two goals to reclaim the lead, but  the Bayhawks didn't allow them to go any further. Glading and middie Peet Poillon tied it up, 4-4, heading into halftime.

Long Island dominated the ground balls in the first half, leading the Bayhawks, 13-5. The Bayhawks were able to stay in the game thanks to outstanding play from goalie Chris Garrity.

The third quarter started out with Bayhawks faceoff specialist Alex Smith winning the draw and running down the field and scoring six seconds into the period. Once again, Long Island came right back to tie the game on a Zach Greer goal, making it 5-5.

Both teams went back and forth throughout the third quarter, keeping it tight and close. With under a minute left in the third, Bayhawks attackman Ben Rubeor found Poillon on the crease and the middie shot it behind his back to score, tying the game at 8-8.

The sensational goal provided some momentum for Chesapeake. The Bayhawks went on to take a 9-8 lead courtesy of midfielder Brian Carroll. 

From there, Carroll, Kyle Dixon and rookie Michael Kimmel scored three more goals to put the Bayhawks up, 12-8, with 7:57 left to play in the game. Kimmel also collected an assist on Carroll's second goal.

The four-goal lead proved to be enough. Chesapeake and Long Island each scored one more goal in the game, giving the Bayhawks the 13-9 win.

Poillion finished the day with a hat trick, and Rubeor had four assists for Chesapeake.

The championship win is the third in team history for the Bayhawks, who are now 3-2 in championship games.

Posted August 22, 2010