The Bayhawks closed their 2006 season Saturday with a 20-12 loss at Unitas Stadium to the Philadelphia Barrage. Philadelphia (10-2) clinched the top spot in the playoffs with the win, while Baltimore (4-8) ended its worst season in the six-year history of the team.
The Bayhawks came into the year as the defending Major League Lacrosse champions, but as a result of the preseason expansion draft and many player moves, they only had six players from 2005 on the roster. This season was the first time the team failed to make the postseason.
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Despite the sour finish, Saturday night?s game had a special meaning for the Bayhawks? starting goalie, Matt Russell, a 2006 graduate of the Naval Academy. Russell, who leaves for Coronado, Calif., Wednesday to begin Navy SEAL training, played his final MLL game for the foreseeable future.
“It has been a blast,” Russell said. “The guys have been amazing. I played hard, and sometimes the ball goes in a lot more than you want it to.”
Russell, who was drafted by the Bayhawks two weeks into the season, made seven saves and allowed 12 goals in his final game. In more than 143 minutes played through five games this season, Russell had 28 saves and allowed 43 goals.
“It was so cool that this worked out this summer, being able to play,” he said. “What a neat opportunity I got.”
“That is definitely something very special,” said Bayhawks defenseman Shawn Nadelen. “That is a guy who, while we are resting our heads on our pillows at night, he is going to be in some country neck-deep in mud and fighting for our freedom. [Russell starting Saturday] is something that we owe him, and he deserved it 100 percent.”
Bayhawks head coach Scott Hiller was also moved by his experience with Russell this year.
“It is pretty amazing,” Hiller said. “Words cannot express what I and everyone else can say about that kid.”
Entering the offseason, Hiller will be busy determining what direction the team needs to go in 2007.
“We need to figure things out,” said Hiller, who coached on an interim basis as a co-owner and co-president of the team. “We have to see if I will be there next year.”
Hiller pointed out that the Bayhawks were the only team in the league to start a lot of rookies.
“There is not another team in this league that played six or seven rookies, so they have that experience,” he said. “Rebuilding for us was one year. Next year, there are no more excuses.”
GAME OVER
» At 5-foot-7, Matt Russell was the shortest player on the roster for Baltimore. During his brief stint with Baltimore, he also played for Team Scotland in the International Lacrosse Federation World Championships.
» Shawn Nadelen was honored at halftime as the Bayhawks? MVP. Mark Millon was named the offensive player of the year, Jude Collins was given top defensive honors and Casey Connor was given the unsung hero award.
» This season was the worst campaign for Scott Hiller as a coach in the MLL. In four seasons coaching Baltimore, his career record is 37-28.
