FIVE NATIONALS DRAFTED IN NLL DRAFT 2013

After the National Lacrosse League’s draft last night, five more Nationals will be playing in the Indoor league this winter. The Minnesota Swarm picked Jason Noble second overall, before Dillon Ward went third overall to the Colorado Mammoth. Ward was the highest picked goalie since 1999 when Gee Nash went second overall. Cameron Mann joins Ward with the Mammoth as he was picked in the fourth round (32nd overall). Tucker Durkin joins three other Nationals in Philadelphia, after being picked up the Wings in the third round. Reid Acton was picked in the third round by the Swarm and will join Noble in Minnesota.

Nationals playing in the NLL this winter:

Rochester Knighthawks:
Joe Walters
Cody Jamieson
Stephen Keogh
Sid Smith

Philadelphia Wings:
Brodie Merrill
Jordan Hall
Kevin Crowley
Tucker Durkin

Edmonton Rush:
Jeremy Thompson

Minnesota Swarm:
Jason Noble
Reid Acton

Colorado Mammoth:
Dillion Ward
Cameron Mann

Watch for your Nationals this winter in the NLL, with the league opener on December 28^th with three match ups … including all of your Nationals! The Wings are in Buffalo to take on the Bandits; Colorado will host the Rush, and the defending back-to-back Champions will take on the Swarm in Rochester. To keep track of all of your Winter Nationals make sure to follow the Nationals on twitter (@NationalsLax) 

Nationals Notes - Playoff Edition

The Hamilton Nationals finished the regular season in a tie for second place in Major League Lacrosse (9-5), and will now meet the defending champion Chesapeake Bayhawks (9-5) in the MLL Semifinals. The Nationals will take on the Bayhawks on August 24th at 4:00 p.m.

The winner will advance to the Championship Game that will play Sunday at 3:00 p.m. The other semifinal features the Denver Outlaws (14-0) and the Charlotte Hounds (7-7). Championship Weekend, presented by Smartlink, will take place at PPL Park in the Philadelphia Area Saturday, August 24th through Sunday, August 25th. Tickets for the two day event are available at www.majorLeagueLacrosse.com/championship-weekend or by calling ComcastTix at 1-800-298-4200.

 

On Saturday, the Nats concluded the regular season with an 18-12 loss to the Denver Outlaws. Kevin Crowley led the Nationals with a six-point performance, including his third two-pointer of the season. Crowley finished with the season 55 points, which tied him for the league lead with Denver’s Chris Bocklet, who had a five-point performance on Saturday.

 

Crowley’s first goal of the game came at 8:13 in the first quarter, which would tie not only the game at 2, but also the team record for points in a regular season. The record was set in 2009, but Merrick Thompson. Joe Walters had a four-point game, putting in two goals and adding two helpers to move his point streak to 26 games. Walters led the MLL this season with 26 assists.

 

Although Kevin Cunningham had a three-point performance, his team record assist streak came to an end. The streak ended at nine games, which broke the previous record (8) set by Joe Walters. Rookie Mike Poppleton won 24 face offs Saturday, which also set a new team record, breaking Matt Dolente’s mark of 23 set in 2012.

 

This season, the Nationals have put in a total of 10 two-point goals, doubling last year’s total.

 

Two-point goals in 2013:         

• Kevin Crowley: 3
• Garrett Thul: 3 
• Martin Cahill: 2 
• MJ Kiekebelt: 1
• John Austin: 1

Know Your Nationals - Garrett Thul

Garrett Thul, the West Point product, was drafted in the third round by the Hamilton National. Thul had a career high night against the Boston Cannons on July 27^th, collecting six points from his five goals. This season, he has 13 points (10+3+0) in just five games. He made his MLL debut in Denver on June 8th, putting in three goals against the Outlaws. Hamilton Nationals Digital Media Coordinator Becca Luden had a chance to sit down with Garrett and talk about his lacrosse career.

How did you get started in lacrosse?

Actually I had a mentor. He’s 10 years older than I and is my dad’s brother’s son. He ended up going to West Point and was captain of the lacrosse team. He got me into lacrosse and I started playing when I was in second grade in a program for third and fourth graders. So, I started pretty early I guess. It was mostly because of the guy that I like idolized.

Did you play any sports other than lacrosse?

I played football for a little bit.

What has been your greatest accomplishment in your lacrosse career?

I’d say from a team perspective, beating Navy five times in my career. I never lost to Navy when I was at Army. My class, my senior class, is the only class in West Point lacrosse history to go undefeated against Navy.

How do you prepare for a game, do you have any weird superstitions at all?

I always do the same eye black on my face. It’s really the only thing that I can think of. I used to have a bunch of superstitions when I was younger, but they take too much energy so I just kind of do whatever.

What is your favorite part about coming to Canada?

It’s gotta be the postgame poutine.

So is there like no poutine in the States?

I’ve heard of poutine before, but I don’t know a single place in the States that sells poutine. I think I’m just going to open up a poutine stand in New Jersey or New York.

If you had a super power which one would it be and why?

That’s a good question. I don’t know if I really ever thought about that before. I’m probably going to go with the typical meat head response and go super strength. You could lift anything and knock anything down that’d be pretty badass.

Haha. That would definitely be pretty awesome. So what song is on your I-pod that you wouldn’t want people to know about?

I love all sorts of like really corny 90’s pop music. Like, it’s the best. I have SirusXM and I always have it on 99.9 and jamming to Hanson and I don’t even remember the names of half the bands, but they’re boy band songs.

So NSYNC or Backstreet Boys?

I’m going to have to go with NSYNC on that one.

What celebrity do people tell you that you look like the most?

I don’t know the actors name, but Cameron from "Ferris Bueller's Day Off".

Oh yah, I can see that for sure.

Yeah, I just don’t have a Detroit Red Wings jersey to make it perfect.

What is your favorite Disney movie?

I was just looking through my video cabinet and I saw a ton of them. But you can’t really go wrong with “Aladdin” or “Lion King”.

So how many Disney movies do you have?

Well, I have the standard collection; I have a sister so we’ve got like all of them

So you just blame your sister?

I’ll fess up to about half of them. I don’t know the exact number of how many though.

If you were to go on the show the “Amazing Race”, who from the team would you want to be your partner, and why?

That’s tough. Everybody’s got some good qualities for that. I’d probably have to go with Durkin.

Why?

He’s just an animal. I think we would tear it up. Two big meat sticks destroying everyone else.

Yah, I think you guys could probably win.

I think we would definitely win.

Hamilton Nationals - News and Notes

The Hamilton Nationals fell just short of clinching the No. 2 seed, losing 14-11 this past weekend to the Charlotte Hounds. The Nationals recently clinched their third playoff berth in team history and will be on their way to Major League Lacrosse’s Championship Weekend in Philadelphia onAugust 24th.

Kevin Crowley led the team with five points (3+1+1), moving him just one away from the team record of 50 that was set in 2009 by Merrick Thompson. Crowley is tied for second in the MLL in points with Boston’s Paul Rabil at 49.

Crowley opened up the scoring Saturday night with his second two-pointer of the season, which would be the first of three for the Nationals. Other two-pointers came from Martin Cahill and Rookie Garrett Thul. Thul currently has three two pointers this season, which is just one away from the Nationals all- time leaders John Grant Jr. and Joe Walters. The Nationals have put in a total of eight two-pointers this season compared to 2012 when they had a total of five.

Stephen Keogh was back on the active roster for Saturday’s night contest. Keogh, who’s last game was on June 29^th, scored one goal for the Nationals. This season he has played a total of eight games, collecting 20 points (16+4). 

Rookie Kevin Cunningham set a new team record for consecutive games with an assist at nine games. Joe Walters held the previous record with eight, which he set in 2009. Cunningham is currently ranked second in the league with assists just behind Joe Walters. Cunningham will be one the eight Nationals to head to the US National Team tryouts later this month.

The Nationals (9-4) will be back at home Saturday for a 3:00 p.m. game against the undefeated Denver Outlaws (13-0). For tickets call 905-525-NATS (6287).

Nationals vs Hounds Game Recap

The Hamilton Nationals and Charlotte Hounds had quite the dogfight tonight, falling 14-11. Although the Nationals were unable to clinch the No. 2 seed, Charlotte did, however, clinch its first ever playoff berth.

Kevin Crowley’s five-point performance wasn’t enough to keep the Hounds at bay, as Charlotte’s Matt Danowski notched six goals and seven points. Crowley put in four points in the first half, three of which came in the first quarter. He started off the Nationals with a two-point goal, which was the second of his career. Crowley extended his team record point streak to 28 games.

Rookie Garrett Thul followed Crowley with another two-point goal for the Nationals. Thul was coming off a career best five-goal, six-point effort on July 27th. Also in the first, Kevin Cunningham and Joe Walters would score for the Nationals. Walters extended his point streak to 25 games.

Martin Cahill would score the lone goal for the Nationals in the second, which would be the fourth two-point goal of the contest and the third for Hamilton. Danowski would keep the Hounds and Nationals tied at the end of the first half with two goals in the second quarter.

Stephen Keogh and Cunningham connected for a Nationals’ goal to give Hamilton a 10-9 lead to start the third quarter. Cunningham’s assist set a new team record for consecutive games with an assist, as he reached nine games. The record was originally set by current teammate Joe Walters. Although the Nationals opened the scoring, the Hounds responded with three straight goals to give them a 12-10 lead heading into the fourth and final quarter. 

Jake Tripucka (three goals) continued the Hounds’ goal-scoring streak in the fourth with his second goal of the game before Crowley would break the streak and cut the Hounds lead to two points. Ryan Young put in his third of the game to end the fourth and give the Hounds a 14-11 win over Hamilton. 

The Nationals (9-4) will conclude the regular season on Saturday, August 10th when they face off against the No. 1 seeded Denver Outlaws at 3:00 p.m. For tickets, call the Nationals ticket office at 905-525-NATS (6287).

Nationals vs Hounds - Halftime

Kevin Crowley opened up the scoring with a two pointer, which would be his second of the season as well as the second of his career in order to take his game point streak to 28 games.Also in the first, Rookie Garrett Thul connected with Joe Walters for his third two-pointer of his career. Out of the eight two-point goals for the Nationals this season, Thul has put in three of them. Walters would also find the back of the net as well as Kevin Cunningham. Crowley would put one more in to finish the Nationals scoring throughout the first. As for Charlotte, Matt Danowski put in three for a hat trick early on in the game to keep the Nationals within reach of the Nationals, as Jake Tripucka would tie the score at 7 to end the first quarter.

Danowski gave the Hounds their first lead of the game with his fourth goal of the game, which came almost 7 minutes into the second. A long drought for both teams, until National's Martin Cahill ripped one from behind the arc for two. Cahill's goal would be answered shortly after by Danowski who would put in his fifth of the game to bring the game to a tie once again. 

Ending the first half Kevin Crowley is just three points away from the team record for points in a season that was set in 2009 by Merrick Thompson. The standard currently sits at 50 points. Both Crowley and Walters have extended their game point streaks. After Boston's loss earlier today, Charlotte could clinch their first ever playoff spot with a win over Hamilton. Goalie Brett Queener stopped a total of 8 shots within the first half to hit the 500 mark. 

Know Your Nationals - Joe Walters

Joe Walters has been playing for the Hamilton Nationals for the past three years. Walters headed to the All Star Game for the sixth time in his career and had a 3-point performance earlier this month. He currently leads the MLL in assists at 22, and is tied for fourth with a total of 41 points.  The last game with the Nationals, Walters put in a goal and an assist to help the team with their 17-12 win over Boston to clinch a playoff berth. Walters sat down with Digital Media Coordinator Becca Luden to talk about his lacrosse career.

Becca Luden: How did you get started in lacrosse?
Joe Walters: I played basketball and I used to wrestle. One of my friends during the wrestling season asked what I was doing in the spring. And I was 8 years old so obviously nothing. He said I should come play lacrosse. Our parents talked and I went out for lacrosse and I loved it.

BL: So what’s been your greatest accomplishment in lacrosse?
JW: I guess just being fortunate enough to win championships at the professional level. I think sometimes you take it for granted. I came into the MLL in 2006, won in 2008 with the Rattlers and then with our team the year after (in Toronto). There are some guys that play that don’t have that feeling. So I think just winning championship has been the greatest part of my career. I mean that’s the reason you play. I’m just fortunate to be on great teams and play alongside great players.

I think the overall best and most memorable moment of my lacrosse career was winning the first Knighthawks championship last year. Winning the World Championship in 2012 with the Knighthawks is definitely the most meaningful. I’ve told this story a few times. I’ve played a bunch of big games with college and high school programs and pro championships and I’ve never cried after winning. And last year was the first time that I cried after winning. I think it was just for me picking up the indoor game has been a big challenge and it took three years to finally realize that I was going to have to play during the summer and try and improve my box game. I played with Brampton and we ended up winning a Cup and that really helped to go into 2012 with a fresh attitude. I really felt like I belonged and that’s really why I cried, just knowing how much effort and how much work I had to put into my indoor game. So, I think that’s kind of the main experience and most memorable out of my lacrosse career.

BL: What advantage do you think that you get from playing both box and field?
JW: I think it helps. I think it’s the way that lacrosse is going. Coaches in the states, especially at the top level, are looking for players that are multi-dimensional. You’re finding more and more in Canada going down to the states to play in college so I think that’s where the sport is headed. The skills in box lacrosse really help you in outdoor. You learn basic overall toughness, the two-man game, just being able to handle the ball in tight corners and being able to see the floor. Those really help your field game. Not only does playing with the Knighthawks help with the summer league, as far as skills, but you also have a stick in your hand all year round. You know it can be tough if you’re not playing all winter to start practicing and to start getting ready for the summer league without playing. That can be tough. Playing all winter and having the stick in your hands is an added bonus.

BL: Who is your athletic motivation?
JW: Clearly there’s my favorite athlete, but my father is definitely who really motivates me. My dad didn’t play lacrosse, but he’s probably my biggest lacrosse hero. He’s very hands on, went to every lacrosse camp and took me to a ton of lacrosse camps to get better and try and learn from the best. He was always there and traveled with me. He didn’t just drop me off, he stayed and took notes and tried to learn the game. So that when we were at home we could work on those skills together. Besides that the overall motivation that he gave me, he didn’t let me just sit around and hang out with my friends throughout middle school and high school, he encouraged me and made me to shoot around  outside in the backyard and lift weights. Without him, I definitely wouldn’t be where I am today.

BL: Are you guys still really close?
JW:Oh yah. He’s defiantly one of my best friends. He is my best friend.

BL: It’s good to still have that strong relationship:
JW: He’s never missed a game. I mean he’s missed a couple because of work or if it’s somewhere really far that he might not be able to make it. He’s coming to Florida this weekend. He hasn’t missed many games, I could probably count on one hand how many games he’s missed through out my lacrosse career.

BL: So you do a lot with the schools and talking to kids. what’s really the main message that you try and get across?
JW: If I’m just talking to kids, I think the main message is that you have to work hard. Nothing in life is going to be easy and I look at my indoor career and give that example. I grew up playing lacrosse and I was pretty good at it and I excelled at the field game. I assumed the indoor game would be a cake walk and I’d be good at it. But I realized that it was a completely different game and it took me a couple years to realize that I could either quit, which I thought about, or work hard and try to learn the game. I think that’s the overall lesson in life. Nothing in life is easy. If you want to excel at something it’s going to take hard work and being dedicated. If you put forth the effort, you will see results. Whether it’s your school work, science project or math homework, the more you practice it, and the more effort you put into it, the better you’re going to get at it.

BL:  You were recently recognized for the work you do to grow the game of lacrosse, so just what are your thoughts on winning the Elliot Cushing award?
JW: I didn’t have to do a speech, but if I were to give a speech what I was going to say was that lacrosse has taken me to so many places and it’s been a huge part of my life. I’ve been able to travel to camps all over the place and I’ve gotten to play lacrosse in Canada, Rome and Hawaii. I’ve been all over the country and the world teaching the sport. Lacrosse is the fastest growing sport in our country and I think that’s really cool to say. Our sport is growing every year and it’s not declining. I think it’s important, and with my experience, it’s something I love to do and it’s a sport that’s taken me places. It’s really been my goal to be a leader and continue that trend and keep lacrosse growing. Hopefully, one day it can become a big time mainstream sport like it should be.

BL: How do you prepare for a game? Do you have any weird superstitions?
JW: Over the past bunch of years, I like to take a little nap. I don’t like to sleep too much, but I feel like if I don’t take a nap it’ll be in the back of my head so I try to lay down for a little bit. I’m not particular with food, but this goes back to when I was at Maryland, I like to have a diet Pepsi or a diet Coke throughout the day. I guess that’s my only quirky thing.

BL: If you could have any superpower what would it be?
JW: I’d love to be able to be in two places at once. The reason is that there are so many things to do and just a limited amount of time. Sometimes you’re so busy playing games and traveling, you just want to be home too. So there are a lot of things going on and we’re so busy that it’d be nice to be in two places at once. 

BL: What’s a song on your iPod you wouldn’t want people to know about?
JW: I guess it’s kind of from last year but “Call Me Maybe.”

BL: What’s something that you wish you had more time to do?
JW: Travel. I love to travel and explore new places. I think that there are so many cool places to visit. I try and travel as much as I possibly can, but it’s something I wish I could do more of.

BL: Where’s one place that you want to go that you haven’t been?
JW: I plan on going, but I’d like to go to Vietnam. My mother is from Vietnam and met my father during the Vietnam War. She has not retuned since she’s been over here, so it’s been a long time. My goal is to go to Vietnam with my mother because I know it means a lot to her. To go back and see where’s she’s from…so it’s kind of No. 1 on my list.

BL: What do you do in your spare time outside of work?
JW: Well, I like to travel so if there’s any opportunity where I can take a little trip I like to do that. Besides that, I like to shop, shopping. I just like relaxing.

BL: What is your favorite pair of sneakers in your collection?
JW: I haven’t even worn them yet. They’re from 2001, Nike Air Jordan ones.

BL: Do you have a lot of shoes?
JW: Yeah, I have a lot. I used to collect, but I don’t collect anymore. I collected rare and exclusive sneakers. I plan on wearing them soon.

Hamilton Nationals - News and Notes July 29th

The Hamilton Nationals have clinched a playoff berth and will head to Philadelphia for Championship Weekend on August 24th. This will be the third time in team history that the Nationals have advanced to the postseason. The Nationals won the championship in 2009 and in 2011 made it to the Finals before falling short to the Boston Cannons.

Not only did the Nationals clinch a playoff spot, but they also earned their ninth win to extend their single-season wins record. The record was broken last week when they notched their eighth win in a 13-12 win over the Ohio Machine on July 20^th.

Rookie Garrett Thul led the Nationals with six points (5+1+0) in the 17-12 win Saturday night over the Boston Cannons. Thul started off the game with two goals in the first quarter, including his second two pointer of his career, to help the Nationals take a 6-1 lead at the end of the first.  He then went on to score three more times in the fourth quarter to seal the Nationals win.

Brett Queener scored the second goal of the contest, which was the first MLL goal of his career. He also made 17 saves. Queener and the Nationals defense held leading point producer Paul Rabil to just a two-point goal that didn’t come until the fourth quarter.

Kevin Cunningham tied his career best with five points (2+3). Cunningham connected with Thul twice in the first quarter, and also found the back of the net for three points in the first quarter. Cunningham has 21 assists this season and trails just Joe Walters for the team lead. Walters continues to lead to the league in assists with 22. Kevin Crowley, who leads the team with 44 points, scored once Saturday to extend his point streak to 27 games. Crowley is now tied for second in points in the MLL with Chris Bocklet of the Denver Outlaws. 

Thul ,Queener and Cunningham will head to Baltimore for the US National Team try outs, alongside teammates Tucker Durkin, Mike Poppleton, Roman Lao-Gosney, and Cameron Lao-Gosney from August 30th through September 1st. 

The Nationals are back home on Saturday August 10th for a 3:00 p.m. game against the undefeated Denver Outlaws (12-0). For tickets call 905-525-NATS (6287).

Playoff Update - MLL

Looks like I wasn't too far off from my predictions.
Denver is locked in for the first playoff spot.
Hamilton needs a win this week over Boston and they've clinched the number two spot.
Chesapeake is currently in for the third , while Boston and Charlotte are battling it out for the fourth.

Boston can't clinch a spot this week, but a win would definitely help them out more in the fight. Hamilton needs a win over Boston or a Charlotte loss for them to clinch it. While Chesapeake can clinch it with either a win or either Charlotte or Boston losing this weekend.

Rochester and New York are not out of playoff contention yet, but New York is coming close.
New York will be out of playoff contention with a loss or a win by either Boston or Charlotte , while Rochester can not be eliminated this week.

Boston, Charlotte, and Rochester can not clinch a playoff berth or be eliminated this week.

Hamilton hosts Boston   - 7pm (Live on Youtube)
Charlotte vs Ohio  - 7pm
Rochester vs NY - 6:30pm
Denver vs Chesapeake  - Noon

Hamilton Nationals - News and Notes

The Hamilton Nationals’ 13-12 win over the Ohio Machine may not have clinched them their playoff berth, but it did set the team record for wins in a season. The Nationals earned their eighth victory of the season, surpassing the mark set in 2009 and 2011. Not only did the team break a record but there were several players that hit milestones as well.

Joe Walters opened up the game with back-to-back goals before Martin Cahill put in two to keep the Nationals goal streak going. Kevin Cunningham and Kevin Crowley also put in a goal apiece to give Hamilton a 6-0 lead.

Cody Jamieson had a career best six points with his two goals and four assists. Walters and Jamieson, who also play together for the Rochester Knighthawks, hooked up in the fourth quarter. Walters connected with Jamieson for his 100th assist of his career.

Kevin Crowley’s two-point game not only continued his point streak to 26, but his second goal was his 100th career point. Crowley just came off of the All-Star Game, where he earned the MVP with a five-point game. Crowley is currently in third in points with 43 and second in goals with 31.

Dillon Ward made the second start of his career for the Nationals on Saturday. Ward held the Machine off for nearly 20 minutes before Ohio rookie Logan Schuss found the back of the net to get the Machine on the board. Ward, who made 17 saves, improved to 1-1.

As for the playoffs, the Nationals can clinch a playoff berth with a win or a Charlotte loss Saturday. The last time the Nationals were in the playoffs was in 2011, when they went to the Championship and lost by one to Boston. In 2009, the Nationals won the MLL Championship, defeating Denver 9-8.

The Nationals next game will be on Saturday, July 27th at Ron Joyce Stadium against the Boston Cannons. For tickets call 905-525-NATS (6287).

Hamilton Nationals - News and Notes

Five Hamilton Nationals headed to Charlotte for the All-Star Game this past weekend. Kevin Crowley opened up the game with a goal from Supernova, and he was only getting started. Crowley then put in another two as well as two assists en route to five points and MVP honors. The Nationals midfielder currently leads the Nationals in points and goals, and is riding a 25-game point streak.

Joe Walters made his sixth trip to the All Star Game, and put in three goals for Team Supernova. Walters currently leads the Nationals in assists and is the all team leader in points, goals and assists for Hamilton.

Rookie Kevin Cunningham made his first All Star Game appearance and finished with one assist. Cunningham currently has 26 assists for the Nationals, putting him in second just behind Walters.

Goalie Brett Queener was found in the stands throughout the first half of the All-Star Game, getting well acquainted with the fans. This was his fourth All-Star Game of his career. Queener made nine stops and also put in one goal for Team Eclipse. Nationals teammate Crowley scored back-to-back goals on Queener in the fourth quarter.

Brodie Merrill made his eighth visit to the MLL All Star Game after playing his 100th MLL game against the Rochester Rattlers the week before. Merrill has the all-time number of ground balls in the league and scooped up two in the All-Star Game. He also had one assist.

The Nationals represented Hamilton by not only having Crowley bring home the MVP award, but also by collecting in 11 points. The five All-Stars will be back at Ron Joyce Stadium on the Saturday, July 20th to take on the Ohio Machine for the second time this season. For tickets, call 905-525-NATS (6287).

Hamilton Nationals - Q&A with Joe Walters

Joe Walters has been playing for the Hamilton Nationals for the past three years, and was recently named to the MLL All Star game. Joe Walters is the all time leader in assists, points, and goals for the Nationals. The past two weeks he has played a huge role for the Nationals leading in points 2 out of the three games. I had a chance to sit down with Joe and talk about his lacrosse career.

B: How did you get started in lacrosse?

J: I played basketball and I used to wrestle. One of my friends during the wrestling season asked what I was doing in the spring. And I was 8 years old so obviously nothing. He said I should come play lacrosse. Our parents talked and I went out for lacrosse and I loved it.

B: So what’s been your greatest accomplishment in lacrosse?

J: I guess just being fortunate enough to win championships at the professional level. I think sometimes you take it for granted. I came into the MLL in 2006, won in 2008 with the Rattlers and then with our team the year after (in Toronto). There are some guys that play that don’t have that feeling. So I think just winning championship has been the greatest part of my career. I mean that’s the reason you play. I’m just fortunate to be on great teams and play alongside great players.

I think the overall best and most memorable moment of my lacrosse career was winning the first Knighthawks championship last year. Winning the World Championship in 2012 with the Knighthawks is definitely the most meaningful. I’ve told this story a few times. I’ve played a bunch of big games with college and high school programs and pro championships and I’ve never cried after winning. And last year was the first time that I cried after winning. I think it was just for me picking up the indoor game has been a big challenge and it took three years to finally realize that I was going to have to play during the summer and try and improve my box game. I played with Brampton and we ended up winning a Cup and that really helped to go into 2012 with a fresh attitude. I really felt like I belonged and that’s really why I cried, just knowing how much effort and how much work I had to put into my indoor game. So, I think that’s kind of the main experience and most memorable out of my lacrosse career.

B: That’s a fantastic story, what advantage do you think that you get from playing both box and field?

J: I think it helps. I think it’s the way that lacrosse is going. Coaches in the states, especially at the top level, are looking for players that are multi-dimensional. You’re finding more and more in Canada going down to the states to play in college so I think that’s where the sport is headed. The skills in box lacrosse really help you in outdoor. You learn basic overall toughness, the two-man game, just being able to handle the ball in tight corners and being able to see the floor. Those really help your field game. Not only does playing with the Knighthawks help with the summer league, as far as skills, but you also have a stick in your hand all year round. You know it can be tough if you’re not playing all winter to start practicing and to start getting ready for the summer league without playing. That can be tough. Playing all winter and having the stick in your hands is an added bonus.


B: Who is your athletic motivation?

J: Clearly there’s my favorite athlete, but my father is definitely who really motivates me. My dad didn’t play lacrosse, but he’s probably my biggest lacrosse hero. He’s very hands on, went to every lacrosse camp and took me to a ton of lacrosse camps to get better and try and learn from the best. He was always there and traveled with me. He didn’t just drop me off, he stayed and took notes and tried to learn the game. So that when we were at home we could work on those skills together. Besides that the overall motivation that he gave me, he didn’t let me just sit around and hang out with my friends throughout middle school and high school, he encouraged me and made me to shoot around outside in the backyard and lift weights. Without him, I definitely wouldn’t be where I am today.

B: Are you guys still really close?

J: Oh yah. He’s defiantly one of my best friends. He is my best friend.

B: It’s good to still have that strong relationship:
J: He’s never missed a game. I mean he’s missed a couple because of work or if it’s somewhere really far that he might not be able to make it. He’s coming to Florida this weekend. He hasn’t missed many games, I could probably count on one hand how many games he’s missed through out my lacrosse career.

B: So you do a lot with the schools and talking to kids. What’s really the main message that you try and get across?

J: If I’m just talking to kids, I think the main message is that you have to work hard. Nothing in life is going to be easy and I look at my indoor career and give that example. I grew up playing lacrosse and I was pretty good at it and I excelled at the field game. I assumed the indoor game would be a cakewalk and I’d be good at it. But I realized that it was a completely different game and it took me a couple years to realize that I could either quit, which I thought about, or work hard and try to learn the game. I think that’s the overall lesson in life. Nothing in life is easy. If you want to excel at something it’s going to take hard work and being dedicated. If you put forth the effort, you will see results. Whether it’s your schoolwork, science project or math homework, the more you practice it, and the more effort you put into it, the better you’re going to get at it.

B: You just recently won the Elliot Cushing award on Tuesday, so just what are your thoughts on winning that?
J: I didn’t have to do a speech, but if I were to give a speech what I was going to say was that lacrosse has taken me to so many places and it’s been a huge part of my life. I’ve been able to travel to camps all over the place and I’ve gotten to play lacrosse in Canada, Rome and Hawaii. I’ve been all over the country and the world teaching the sport. Lacrosse is the fastest growing sport in our country and I think that’s really cool to say. Our sport is growing every year and it’s not declining. I think it’s important, and with my experience, it’s something I love to do and it’s a sport that’s taken me places. It’s really been my goal to be a leader and continue that trend and keep lacrosse growing. Hopefully, one day it can become a big time mainstream sport like it should be.

B: How do you prepare for a game? Do you have any weird superstitions?
J: Over the past bunch of years, I like to take a little nap. I don’t like to sleep too much, but I feel like if I don’t take a nap it’ll be in the back of my head so I try to lay down for a little bit. I’m not particular with food, but this goes back to when I was at Maryland, I like to have a diet Pepsi or a diet Coke throughout the day. I guess that’s my only quirky thing.

B: If you could have any superpower what would it be?

J: I’d love to be able to be in two places at once. The reason is that there are so many things to do and just a limited amount of time. Sometimes you’re so busy playing games and traveling, you just want to be home too. So there are a lot of things going on and we’re so busy that it’d be nice to be in two places at once.

B: What’s a song on your iPod you wouldn’t want people to know about?
J: I guess it’s kind of from last year but “Call Me Maybe.”

B: What’s something that you wish you had more time to do?
J: Travel. I love to travel and explore new places. I think that there are so many cool places to visit. I try and travel as much as I possibly can, but it’s something I wish I could do more of.

B: Where’s one place that you want to go that you haven’t been?
J: I plan on going, but I’d like to go to Vietnam. My mother is from Vietnam and met my father during the Vietnam War. She has not retuned since she’s been over here, so it’s been a long time. My goal is to go to Vietnam with my mother because I know it means a lot to her. To go back and see where’s she’s from…so it’s kind of No. 1 on my list.

B: What do you do in your spare time outside of work?
J: Well, I like to travel so if there’s any opportunity where I can take a little trip I like to do that. Besides that, I like to shop, shopping. I just like relaxing.

B: What is your favorite pair of sneakers in your collection?

J: I haven’t even worn them yet. They’re from 2001, Nike Air Jordan ones. B: Do you have a lot of shoes?
J: Yeah, I have a lot. I used to collect, but I don’t collect anymore. I collected rare and exclusive sneakers. I plan on wearing them soon.

Hamilton Nationals - News and Notes

The Hamilton Nationals win this weekend over Rochester tied their team record for wins in a season at seven to tie both the 2009 and 2011 seasons. In 2009, the Nationals went on to win the Championship, 9-8, over the Denver Outlaws. In 2011, they made another appearance in the Championship Game but fell short by just one point to the Boston Cannons.

The Nationals’ 10-6 win kept them in second place with a 7-3 record. Hamilton trails only the Denver Outlaws (10-0) and is one game in front of the Chesapeake Bayhawks (6-4).

Kevin Crowley led the Nationals with five first half points (2+3). Not only did he extend his point streak to 25 games, but he surpassed the 40-point plateau for the first time in his Major League Lacrosse career. Crowley is currently third in the league with 41 points (29+1+11) behind Paul Rabil and Chris Bocklet.  Crowley will be making his first All Star Game appearance this weekend in Charlotte.

Joe Walters collected two goals and one assist to reach 22 games with a point. The midfielder is second on the Nationals with 33 points and leads the MLL with 18 assists. Teammate Kevin Cunningham is second in assists with 17. Both Nationals will play in the MLL 2013 MLL All-Star Game, presented by Moe’s Southwest Grill, on Saturday, July 13th. The 7:00 p.m. game at American Legion Memorial Stadium in Charlotte will be broadcast live on ESPN2.

Goalie Brett Queener played another phenomenal game against the Rattlers. In the first meeting, he made 22 stops to finish just two away from tying the Nationals’ record. Sundayafternoon he made16 saves and let in just six goals to tie the team record for least amount of goals allowed in a game. Queener held the Rattlers to just one goal apiece in both the third and fourth quarters. Queener is on the way to Charlotte for his fourth All Star Game.

Garrett Thul notched three points, which included the first two-pointer of his career. The two-pointer was the fifth for the Nationals this season, tying the number of two pointers from 2012. Other two pointers this season have come from Crowley, John Austin, MJ Kiekebelt and Martin Cahill.

Brodie Merrill hit the 100th game milestone this weekend. In his 100 MLL games, he has 115 points (40+3+72) and 685 ground balls, which is an MLL record. So far this season he has seven points and 65 ground balls. Merrill heads to the All-Star Game for the eighth time in his career.

The Nationals will take on the Ohio Machine at home on July 20th. In their last meet up this season the Nationals won 16-9. The Machine are currently in last in the league with a 1-9 record.  For tickets call 905-525-NATS (6287).