NATIONALS PREPARING FOR DOUBLE THE MACHINE

Scouting the Nationals: Hamilton stands in seventh place in the MLL after dropping its third straight game. The Nationals were edged 15-13 by the Boston Cannons last Saturday in a back-and-forth affair in Ron Joyce Stadium at McMaster University. Hamilton lost despite a career-high four goals and five points from Cody Jamieson. Joe Walters also tied his season high with four assists. Hamilton also benefitted from the efforts of three other players. David Earl scored his second hat trick of the season, while Garrett Billings (1+2) and Stephen Keogh (1+2) chipped in three-point nights. The Nationals fell to 2-6 with the home loss. Two Nationals reached milestones as goalie Scott Rodgers made his 200th career save and Joe Walters earned his 50th assist as a National.

 

Johnson at the Worlds: NationalsAssistant Coach JasonJohnson is at the 2012 U-19 World Lacrosse Championships in Turku, Finland. Johnson is working as an assistant coach with the Iroquois Nationals. The Iroquois team opens play on Friday, July 13th against England. The tournament runs from July 12th to the21st and features 13 competing nations.

Super Sophomore: Stephen Keogh leads the Nationals with 14 goals and is third with 20 points, despite playing only five games this season with the Nationals. He has career highs in goals, assists and points.

Nationals Make Deadline Deal: Hamilton acquired a third-round pick in 2013 Collegiate MLL Draft, along with midfielder Cameron Lao-Gosney and attackman Bryan Neufeld from the Charlotte Hounds in exchange for faceoff specialist Geoff Snider.

Machine Notes: Ohio enters the game in eighth place in the MLL with a 1-7 record. With two losses this week, the Machine will become the first team eliminated from the MLL Playoff Race. The Machine have lost two close contests, which includes a 17-13 decision to the Denver Outlaws on July 4th. Jim Connolly led the way with five goals. Rookies Steele Stanwick (1+5) and Kyle Matisz (3+0) had breakout games. Connolly and Chazz Woodson are tied for the team lead with 22 points. Stanwick, out of the University of Virginia, has played in just three games, but leads the team in assists with 10. Defensemen Kyle Hartzell leads all MLL defensemen six 2-point goals and is second in the league.

Next Game: Hamilton will travel to Columbus to battle the Machine at 7:00 p.m. Saturday night. The contest will be carried live on ESPN3.

Nationals to get used to Home Cooking: After this weekend, Hamilton will play three of its last four games at home to end the regular season.  That includes a three-game homestand from July 28th to August 11th.