2017 OHIO MACHINE GAME 3: OHIO VS. ROCHESTER

OHIO MACHINE VS. ROCHESTER RATTLERS GAME PREVIEW

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Ohio Machine heads into it's home opener with some extraordinary momentum after winning their first two games on the road. The Ohio Machine will cut the ribbon on it's new stadium, Fortress Obetz, with a matchup against the Rochester Rattlers, Saturday at 7 p.m.

THE OHIO MACHINE ARE UNDEFEATED

The Ohio Machine (2-0) remain undefeated after beating the Charlotte Hounds (0-2) 15-12, Saturday night inside American Legion Memorial Stadium, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Mark Cockerton was named the MLL offensive player of the week, after his powerhouse performance scoring four goals and snagging three assists. The faceless men kept up their relentless tenacity snagging 28 groundballs and stopping 12 shots on goal.

THE FACELESS MEN

The MLL veterans proved again that they are one of the best defenses in the league, limiting the Charlotte Hounds to shutout streak of 23+ minutes in the game while stopping 12 shots on goals and snagging 28 groundballs. Andrew Sellers was determined at LSM snagging four groundballs, the enforcer remained solid throughout play limiting the Charlotte offense. Steve Waldeck, Matt McMahon and Jackson Place snagged three groundballs each and battled with a tenacious drive to limit Charlotte’s offensive possession. Scott Rodgers maintained his elite goalie status snagging 12 saves off 24 shots on goal, making his save percentage an even 50.

GNARLY OFFENSE

After a slow start in the first quarter the Machine, amped up the intensity quickly with Peter Baum, Marcus Holman, Mark Cockerton and Patrick Kelly, sniping goals in the first. Cockerton was dominate on the left side snagging his career-high four goals and three assists. Holman was also dominating in his first game back as a sheen in 2017, scoring a solid hat trick to start off his 2017 MLL campaign.

THE RIVALRY

The rivalry-geographically, Rochester is the nearest MLL team to Columbus. The all-time record in the regular season is split at five games. The Machine have been eliminated in the playoffs at the hand of Rochester twice in the young franchise history. The rivalry writes a new chapter Saturday as both teams participate in the first game at the first lacrosse stadium.

OHIO MACHINE VS. ROCHESTER

Last season Ohio fall to Rochester in both regular season games. In Rochester (Jun. 25, 2016), the teams fought in a back and forth battle with both defenses setting a strong pace. In the first half it was the Rattlers that would snipe first with a quick answer back by Mark Cockerton just one minute later. Marcus Holman and Tom Schreiber would each notch a couple tallies to end the half with the Rattlers leading 8-6. In the second half, Dominique Alexander would get the offense rolling with a quick snipe from the top and Steele Stanwick, Mark Cockerton, Holman and Schreiber would each add tallies, but it wouldn't be enough to off the Rattlers. The game ended in a 13-9 Rochester W.

The game in Columbus, was played in a similar fashion. In the first half, the Rattlers started with a 2-0 lead before Marcus Holman would come in with two snipes to make it a 2-2 match. Rochester would add one to take a quick lead before Ohio would go on the three goal streak by Kyle Harrison, Mark Cockerton and Peter Baum for a 5-3 Ohio advantage. To end the half, the Rattlers went on a four goal run for the 9-5 advantage. The second half was one streak after another, with Rochester snagging two quick before the Machine would snip four in a row. But ultimately it was Rochester who held the advantage at the final buzzer, taking the W 16-13.

LOOKING AHEAD

The Machine will go on a three game stretch in their brand-new Fortress. Next week taking on Charlotte, and Florida the week after, four of their next six games going into the all-star break are at home. After the all-star break, the Machine have two big games in a row when they take on the defending champs, Denver Outlaws in a home-home series. The Machine hope to have solidified their spot on top of the standings by then.

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