Washington Bayhawks Defeat Chicago Machine 16-14 - MLL

Washington, DC — Thunderstorms delayed the Washington Bayhawks (2-5) game tonight against the Chicago Machine (1-6) at Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee, WI, but that didn’t stop the Bayhawks from tying two Major League Lacrosse (MLL) records and snapping their losing streak with a 16-14 win. Kyle Dixon tied the single game record for two-point goals with three, and the Bayhawks tied the MLL single game two-point goal record by a team with five.
 
“Our guys played with a lot of intensity tonight,” said Bayhawks Head Coach John Tucker. “Chicago played a great defensive first half, but we made the adjustments and came out well in the third quarter. Our midfielders did a great job with the outside shots in the third quarter. Our young guys stepped in well and made a big contribution tonight.”
 
Kevin Huntley opened the scoring midway through the first quarter on an assist from Dixon. Kevin Leveille tied the game at one goal apiece, but the Glading brothers combined for back-to-back goals to give the Bayhawks a 3-1 lead. Chicago scored to close out the quarter at 3-2.
 
The second quarter started off like the first quarter with both goalies trading several saves. The Bayhawks did a good job keeping traffic out from in front of Chris Garrity, who returned to the net for the Bayhawks after a two game absence and made 12 saves on the night. Chicago scored quick goals by Mike Leveille and Anthony Kelly to get their first lead of the game, 4-3. Two more goals gave the Machine a 6-3 lead, but rookie Ben Hunt scored his first MLL career goal to end the five-goal run. His two-point goal cut the score to 6-5. Moments later Garrity made a point-blank save to take the one goal deficit into the locker room.
 
The Bayhawks came out with the long range shot in the third quarter netting four two-point goals. Dixon scored a hat-trick of two-pointers with three to tie an MLL record for two-point goals in a game, and Jake Byrne added the fourth. Andrew “Buggs” Combs and Danny Glading added a goal apiece, and the Bayhawks took a 15-10 lead into the fourth quarter. The Bayhawks 10 points in the third quarter were a single quarter season high.
 
The officials halted the game following the third quarter due to thunderstorms. The game was delayed for two hours before play resumed.
 
The Machine came out of the break hot and made the game close. A two-point goal cut the lead to two before Combs netted one for the Bayhawks to give the Bayhawks a 16-13 lead. Chicago scored once more, but the Bayhawks defense held on for a 16-14 victory.
 
Dixon won Bud Light Game MVP honors for his record-tying performance. He becomes the fifth player to record three two-point goals in a single game, and the first to net all three in one quarter. The feat was last accomplished by Tim Booth in 2006.
 
Alex Smith dominated the face-offs winning 18 of 26. He has won an MLL leading 141 face-offs this season.p>Are You an Insider Yet?
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