HEMPSTEAD, NY – Third-year midfielder Ben Hunt scored four goals, but it wasn’t enough as the Chesapeake Bayhawks lost to the Long Island Lizards, 14-11, in a rematch of last year’s Major League Lacrosse championship on Thursday night at James M. Shuart Stadium.
Attackman Danny Glading totaled two goals and an assist for Chesapeake (3-2), which fell out of a tie for first place in the MLL standings. Attackman Ben Rubeor and midfielder Kyle Dixon dished off two assists apiece for the Bayhawks, who led 5-4 after the first period.
Attackman Matt Danowski totaled four points on three goals, one of which was a 2-pointer, to lead Long Island (2-3), which outscored Chesapeake 8-3 in the second half. Midfielders Stephen Peyser and Stephen Berger both totaled two goals and an assist for the Lizards, who rallied from an 8-6 halftime deficit.
Glading and Hunt scored two goals apiece as visiting Chesapeake took a 5-1 lead with 7:27 elapsed in the first quarter. Danowski fired in a 2-pointer while Grant scored off an assist from Mike Ward as host Long Island cut the deficit to 5-4 after one period. “We were up by four goals and we let off the gas pedal,” Chesapeake head coach Brendan Kelly said. “We have to learn how to play to 60 minutes.” Danowski scored two goals while Grant and Peyser both contributed a goal and an assist as Long Island took control with a 7-0 run spanning the second and third quarters.
“We came out strong, but then we let down and allowed Long Island to gain momentum,” Hunt said. “Their goalie got hot and their faceoff man got hot, and that turned things around.”
Long stick midfielder Kyle Hartzell scored a 2-point goal just 49 seconds into the third quarter to give Chesapeake a seemingly comfortable 10-6 lead, but then the visitors went nearly 20 minutes without scoring. “Long Island came out strong in the second half and we weren’t able to respond,” Hunt said. “We had possession, but we just weren’t able to score.”
Goalkeeper Drew Adams had a strong outing for Long Island, making several big saves at crucial moments. Joey Kemp played the first half while Brian Phipps took over in the second half for Chesapeake.
It was the fourth straight road game for Chesapeake, which will return home next Saturday, June 25 against the Boston Cannons at 7pm at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
“We’ve gone through a tough stretch of playing on the road, but I have all the faith in the world in the team that we will turn things around,” Kelly said. “I thought we suffered some fatigue in the fourth quarter and I would attribute that to the travel. We’re looking forward to getting back home next Saturday against Boston and getting back into the win column.”
Bayhawks season tickets can be purchased online at www.thebayhawks.com or over the phone by calling the box office 866-99-HAWKS (42957). Reserve your seat today and see the 2010 MLL Champions battle to defend their title at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium this summer.
