Bayhawks Look to Maintain Their Perch Atop MLL Standings

Posted by TBN On 06/14/2012

Chesapeake continues home stand against improved Hamilton squad

Hamilton was not at full strength the first time it played Chesapeake this season. The Nationals were missing a slew of key players and were blown out by the Bayhawks, 20-7, on their home turf.

Three players – attackmen Cody Jamieson and Stephen Keogh along with midfielder Joe Walters – were still playing indoor for the Rochester Knighthawks, champions of the National Lacrosse League. Two starting defensive midfielders – Steven Waldeck and Danny Burns – were also not available for that May 18th contest.

Asked during this week’s Major League Lacrosse teleconference what Hamilton must do to avoid another lopsided loss to Chesapeake, head coach Regy Thorpe said: “We have all of our players so that’s a good start.”

Hamilton has won two straight since regaining the services of the aforementioned players and looked very impressive in routing Rochester, 17-8, last Saturday night. Now the Nationals come to Annapolis looking to avenge that earlier defeat to the Bayhawks.

“We’re a different team now and we’re looking forward to showing that on Saturday night,” Thorpe said. “Chesapeake is playing really well right now. We’re looking forward to the challenge of facing the number one team in the league.”

Chesapeake (5-1) will be seeking to maintain its perch atop the MLL standings when it hosts Hamilton (2-3) at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Head coach Dave Cottle knows the Nationals will be more potent offensively due to the addition of Jamieson, Keogh and Walters while their defense will be stronger with the presence of Waldeck.

“Hamilton has its entire team back and has been playing much better offense. They are being unselfish and moving the ball better,” Cottle said. “We need to do a great job of defending their offensive midfielders with our short sticks. If we have to slide, it’s going to be death by a thousand wounds.”

Thorpe likes to put two long poles on the wings for face-offs with Waldeck and Brodie Merrill remaining up top to defend midfielders. That means the Nationals will use a short stick defender to cover one of the Bayhawks’ attackmen.

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