Toronto Nationals move into first with decisive win over Washington

Published at 5:07 pm on June 13, 2009
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It would be accurate to say the Toronto Nationals have the Washington Bayhawks’ number.

Before an announced crowd of 3,554, the Nationals scored ten first-half goals to walk away with a convincing 19-12 win over the Washington Bayhawks at BMO Field on Saturday afternoon.

With the victory the Nationals (4-1) temporarily move into first place in the Major League Lacrosse standings, one game ahead of the Denver Outlaws and the Long Island Lizards.

Toronto swept the season series against Washington going 3-0, outscoring them 53-41.

Scoring the goals for the Nationals were Merrick Thomson (3), Joe Walters (3) Delby Powless (2), Jeff Zywicki (2), Brodie Merrill (2), Geoff Snider, Sid Smith, Jordan Levine, Colin Doyle and Shawn Williams

Today marked the debut of Nationals goalie Doc Schneider. The University of Massachusetts product looked good in his MLL debut, stopping 11 of 15 shots.

“It was a terrific performance for him (Schneider),” Nationals head coach Dave Huntley said. “He’s never played in the league before and it was the first time he’s seen one of those orange, dimpled balls.”

“He played awesome today,” Toronto goalie Brett Queener said. “He just brings a lot of energy and he’s real excited to be here.”

Queener replaced him for the second half and stopped 14 of 21 shots.

Scoring for Washington (1-4) were Andrew Combs (3), Kyle Dixon, Spencer Ford (3), Jed Prossner, Kevin Buchanan, Kevin Huntley and Dan Groot.

Chris Collins started the game for Washington and allowed nine goals on 13 shots.

Joey Kemp replaced him for the second half and didn’t have better luck allowing eight goals on 14 shots.

With the loss Washington moves to 1-2 on the road

The Nationals held a 4-2 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Thomson gave the Nationals a 5-2 lead at of the second quarter when his overhand shot went stick side to elude Collins. With the goal, Thomson took the lead in NLL scoring with his 15th of the year.

Toronto opened a 7-3 lead on a goal by Zywicki, but Dixon scored a two-point goal on a 50-foot shot that beat Schneider shaft side and the lead was cut to 7-5 with over five minutes remaining in the second half.

Sid Smith?s first of the year made it 8-5 and Walters scored a two-pointer from long range and the Nationals went in the break with a 10-5 lead.

The Bayhawks scored 21 seconds into the third quarter to pull within four, but Walters scored another two pointer that beat Kemp high to the stick side.

Joe Cinosky stopped a sure goal for the Bayhawks when Queener came out of the net to pick off a pass attempt to a Washington attacker. He missed and Cinosky made a stick save to keep the score 12-7 for Toronto.

“I went for an interception and left the goal open,” Queener said. “Joe made a play for me. If I make a mistake they (the defence) pick me up. I just made a mistake and that’s what it was.”

The Nationals led 13-8 after three quarters.

Goals by Merrill, Levine and Powless, less than two minutes into the final quarter pushed the lead to 16-8.

The Nationals took the foot off the gas in the last minute of the fourth as Washington scored three late goals to make the score a little closer than the game seemed.

“This was the best offensive game we’ve played so far and I think the score reflected that,” Huntley said.