2009 MLL season
Encyclopedia
The 2009 Major League Lacrosse
season was the 9th season of the league. The season began on May 15, 2009 and concluded with the championship game on August 23, 2009.
to play. For the first eight seasons the league operated, each team could only field three long–stick defenders on the field at a time. This rule was unique from the traditional men's field lacrosse
rules played in high schools and colleges. The league will maintain the two–point goal and shot clock that differentiates Major League Lacrosse rules from high school and college lacrosse. In addition, the league announced that each team would be permitted to have one additional roster position to a total of nineteen players.
Final
Long Island finished ahead of Boston base on head to head record 3-0.
in Annapolis, Maryland
. The two semifinal games were at 12 PM ET and 3 PM ET on Saturday. The Toronto Nationals and Denver Outlaws won their semi-final matchups and in the Championship game with 45 seconds left, Shawn Williams
scored to give the Nationals a 10-9 lead and Toronto won the MLL championship.
Merrick Thomson
was named MVP for the playoffs
Major League Lacrosse
Major League Lacrosse, or MLL, is a professional men's field lacrosse league that is made up of five teams in the United States and one team in Canada.- History :...
season was the 9th season of the league. The season began on May 15, 2009 and concluded with the championship game on August 23, 2009.
Rule changes
Major League Lacrosse announced some major rule changes in the off-season. The league will introduce a fourth long–stickmanLacrosse stick
A lacrosse stick or crosse is a long-handled racket used to play the sport of lacrosse. Players use the lacrosse stick to handle the ball and to strike at opposing players...
to play. For the first eight seasons the league operated, each team could only field three long–stick defenders on the field at a time. This rule was unique from the traditional men's field lacrosse
Field lacrosse
Field lacrosse, sometimes referred to as the "fastest sport on two feet," is a full contact outdoor men's sport played with ten players on each team. The sport originated among Native Americans, and the modern rules of field lacrosse were initially codified by Canadian William George Beers in 1867....
rules played in high schools and colleges. The league will maintain the two–point goal and shot clock that differentiates Major League Lacrosse rules from high school and college lacrosse. In addition, the league announced that each team would be permitted to have one additional roster position to a total of nineteen players.
Team movement
- The Washington Bayhawks will move from the Washington D.C. area to Annapolis, MarylandAnnapolis, MarylandAnnapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Maryland, as well as the county seat of Anne Arundel County. It had a population of 38,394 at the 2010 census and is situated on the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Severn River, south of Baltimore and about east of Washington, D.C. Annapolis is...
. The Bayhawks have signed a three–year contract with the Naval AcademyUnited States Naval AcademyThe United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
to play their home games at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial StadiumNavy-Marine Corps Memorial StadiumNavy – Marine Corps Memorial Stadium is an outdoor athletic stadium near the campus of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. It is the home field of the Navy Midshipmen football team, the men's lacrosse team, and the Chesapeake Bayhawks lacrosse team....
. This move will be the Bayhawks sixth different home field in their nine years of existence.
- The Long Island LizardsLong Island LizardsThe Long Island Lizards are a Major League Lacrosse professional men's field lacrosse team based in Hempstead, New York, USA, located on Long Island. They are original members of the MLL and lost in the league's inaugural game on June 7, 2001 to the Baltimore Bayhawks , 16-13...
will move their home games back to James M. Shuart StadiumJames M. Shuart StadiumJames M. Shuart Stadium, formerly known as Hofstra Stadium, is a 15,000-seat multi-purpose stadium on the campus of Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York. It first opened in 1962, and was known as Hofstra Stadium until August 29, 2002. It is the home field of the Hofstra Pride lacrosse teams...
, where they played in 2001 and 2002.
- The MLL announced on February 19 that the Los Angeles RiptideLos Angeles RiptideThe Los Angeles Riptide were a lacrosse team based in Carson, California. From 2006 to 2008, they played in Major League Lacrosse. They ceased operations before the 2009 season due to the economic situation in the United States.-Franchise history:...
, Philadelphia BarragePhiladelphia BarrageThe Philadelphia Barrage were a Men's Field Lacrosse team that was based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from the 2004 season until the 2008 season when they became a traveling team. Since the 2001 season, they have played in Major League Lacrosse. They started playing in the American Division, but...
, New Jersey PrideNew Jersey PrideThe New Jersey Pride were a men's field lacrosse team formerly based in Piscataway, New Jersey, United States. They played in Major League Lacrosse from 2001-2008.-Franchise history:...
, Rochester RattlersRochester RattlersThe Rochester Rattlers are a Major League Lacrosse professional men's field lacrosse team based in Rochester, New York. They are a charter member of the MLL. From their inaugural season in 2001 to 2005, they were in the National Division. From 2006 to 2008, they were a member of the Eastern...
and San Francisco DragonsSan Francisco DragonsThe San Francisco Dragons were a professional field lacrosse team based in San Francisco and San Jose, California. From 2006–2008, they played in Major League Lacrosse and they ceased operations before the 2009 season due to the economic situation in the United States.-Franchise history:The San...
folded and a new teamToronto NationalsThe Hamilton Nationals are a Major League Lacrosse professional men's field lacrosse team based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. They began play in the 2009 season from Toronto, Ontario as the Toronto Nationals, becoming the first-ever Canadian team in MLL history...
will play in TorontoTorontoToronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
. The league will consist of 6 teams. The Eastern and Western Conferences have been eliminated.http://www.majorleaguelacrosse.com/news/pressreleases/index.html?article_id=1275
- The Rochester RattlersRochester RattlersThe Rochester Rattlers are a Major League Lacrosse professional men's field lacrosse team based in Rochester, New York. They are a charter member of the MLL. From their inaugural season in 2001 to 2005, they were in the National Division. From 2006 to 2008, they were a member of the Eastern...
' roster and staff will be transferred to the new Toronto NationalsToronto NationalsThe Hamilton Nationals are a Major League Lacrosse professional men's field lacrosse team based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. They began play in the 2009 season from Toronto, Ontario as the Toronto Nationals, becoming the first-ever Canadian team in MLL history...
team; however, the name, colors, and history are staying behind in Rochester to be potentially used by a future MLL team.
- For their home games, The Toronto NationalsToronto NationalsThe Hamilton Nationals are a Major League Lacrosse professional men's field lacrosse team based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. They began play in the 2009 season from Toronto, Ontario as the Toronto Nationals, becoming the first-ever Canadian team in MLL history...
played their inaugural season at BMO FieldBMO FieldBMO Field is a Canadian soccer stadium located in Exhibition Place in the city of Toronto. The open-air structure can seat up to 21,800 spectators, depending on seating configurations. It is owned by the City of Toronto, and managed by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd...
.
Pre-season
- CaseyCasey PowellCasey Powell is a lacrosse player in the United States. He was the captain of the US national team in the 2006 World Lacrosse Championship. He currently plays indoor lacrosse in the National Lacrosse League for the Rochester Knighthawks. He also plays Major League Lacrosse for the Hamilton...
, RyanRyan PowellRyan Powell may refer to:* Ryan Powell , Welsh rugby union player* Ryan Powell , American lacrosse player...
, and Mikey Powell, three of the best and most popular players in the league, all sat out for the 2009 season. The three brothers did not report to their respective teams as of the April 1st contract deadline - which means they are ineligible to play for anyone for the remainder of 2009. This was not the first time the Powell brothers sat out a season. The 2009 season was Mikey's third sitting out, while it is Casey's second, and Ryan's first.
Standings
W = Wins, L = Losses, PCT = Winning Percentage, GB = Games Back of first place, GF = Goals For, 2ptGF = 2 point Goals For, GA = Goals Against, 2ptGA = 2 point Goals AgainstFinal
| Qualified for playoffs |
| Team | |W | |L | |PCT | | GB | |GF | |2ptGF | |GA | |2ptGA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver Outlaws Denver Outlaws The Denver Outlaws are a Major League Lacrosse professional men's field lacrosse team based in Denver, Colorado. They began playing in the MLL in 2006 as an expansion team. From 2006 to 2008, they were in the Western Conference. With the MLL contraction in the 2009 season from 10 to 6 teams The... |
9 | 3 | .750 | |||||
| 166 | 8 | 138 | 6 | |||||
| Toronto Nationals Toronto Nationals The Hamilton Nationals are a Major League Lacrosse professional men's field lacrosse team based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. They began play in the 2009 season from Toronto, Ontario as the Toronto Nationals, becoming the first-ever Canadian team in MLL history... |
7 | 5 | .583 | 2 | 184 | 4 | 172 | 9 |
| Long Island Lizards Long Island Lizards The Long Island Lizards are a Major League Lacrosse professional men's field lacrosse team based in Hempstead, New York, USA, located on Long Island. They are original members of the MLL and lost in the league's inaugural game on June 7, 2001 to the Baltimore Bayhawks , 16-13... |
6 | 6 | .500 | 3 | 125 | 4 | 144 | 9 |
| Boston Cannons Boston Cannons The Boston Cannons are a Major League Lacrosse professional men's field lacrosse team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They have played in the MLL since the 2001 season. From 2006 to 2008, they were in the Eastern Conference. From the league's inception in 2001 through 2005, they were in the... |
6 | 6 | .500 | 3 | 173 | 12 | 150 | 6 |
| Washington Bayhawks | 5 | 7 | .417 | 4 | 148 | 14 | 175 | 9 |
| Chicago Machine Chicago Machine The Chicago Machine is a mens field lacrosse team that plays in Major League Lacrosse that was based in Chicago, Illinois until the franchise left after the 2009 season to be a travel team in 2010. The team then transferred its roster to the reborn Rochester Rattlers on November 23, 2010 when it... |
3 | 9 | .250 | 6 | 159 | 8 | 176 | 11 |
Long Island finished ahead of Boston base on head to head record 3-0.
All Star Game
The 2009 game took place July 16 at Denver's INVESCO Field. The Old School beat the Young Guns 22-21 in overtime. Brian Langtry (Denver) was named the MVP for the game.Playoffs
The 2009 New Balance MLL Championship Weekend took place on Saturday and Sunday, August 22 and 23 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial StadiumNavy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium
Navy – Marine Corps Memorial Stadium is an outdoor athletic stadium near the campus of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. It is the home field of the Navy Midshipmen football team, the men's lacrosse team, and the Chesapeake Bayhawks lacrosse team....
in Annapolis, Maryland
Annapolis, Maryland
Annapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Maryland, as well as the county seat of Anne Arundel County. It had a population of 38,394 at the 2010 census and is situated on the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Severn River, south of Baltimore and about east of Washington, D.C. Annapolis is...
. The two semifinal games were at 12 PM ET and 3 PM ET on Saturday. The Toronto Nationals and Denver Outlaws won their semi-final matchups and in the Championship game with 45 seconds left, Shawn Williams
Shawn Williams
Shawn Williams is a Canadian lacrosse player who plays for the Edmonton Rush of the National Lacrosse League and formerly of the Hamilton Nationals of Major League Lacrosse.-NLL career:...
scored to give the Nationals a 10-9 lead and Toronto won the MLL championship.
Merrick Thomson
Merrick Thomson
Merrick Thomson is a former lacrosse player from Hamilton, Ontario. He played the attack position for the Hamilton Nationals of Major League Lacrosse and for the Philadelphia Wings of the National Lacrosse League.-College career:...
was named MVP for the playoffs
Annual awards
| Award | Winner | Team |
|---|---|---|
| MVP Award Major League Lacrosse MVP Award The Bud Light Major League Lacrosse MVP Award is awarded annually to the best performing player of Major League Lacrosse.... |
Paul Rabil Paul Rabil Paul Rabil , is a lacrosse player with the Washington Stealth of the National Lacrosse League and the Boston Cannons of Major League Lacrosse... |
Boston |
| Rookie of the Year Award Major League Lacrosse Rookie of the Year Award The Cascade Major League Lacrosse Rookie of the Year Award is given annually to the top first-time athlete of the season.Cascade began sponsorship of the award in 2003.... |
Dan Hardy | Denver |
| Coach of the Year Award Major League Lacrosse Coach of the Year Award The Brine Major League Lacrosse Coach of the Year Award is given annually to the best coach of the MLL. Merrill Lynch was the sponsor of the award from 2001-2003. Warrior was the sponsor from 2004 to 2006.... |
Brian Reese | Denver |
| Defensive player of the Year Award Major League Lacrosse Defensive Player of the Year Award Warrior Major League Lacrosse Defensive Player of the Year Award is given annually to the individual judged to be, from amongst all MLL players, the best all-around defensively across a given season. Brodie Merrill has largely dominated this award, winning it a record six consecutive... |
Brodie Merrill Brodie Merrill Brodie Merrill is a Canadian lacrosse player. He currently plays in the National Lacrosse League for the Philadelphia Wings and Major League Lacrosse for the Hamilton Nationals.-High school career:... |
Toronto |
| Offensive player of the Year Award Major League Lacrosse Offensive Player of the Year Award Warrior Major League Lacrosse Offensive Player of the Year Award is given annually to the best all around offensive player of the MLL.... |
Paul Rabil Paul Rabil Paul Rabil , is a lacrosse player with the Washington Stealth of the National Lacrosse League and the Boston Cannons of Major League Lacrosse... |
Boston |
| Goaltender of the Year Award Major League Lacrosse Goaltender of the Year Award Krauter & Co. Major League Lacrosse Goaltender of the Year Award is given annually to the top goaltender of the season. Warrior sponsored the award from 2001 to 2004.... |
Jesse Schwartzman | Denver |
| Sportsman of the Year Award Major League Lacrosse Sportsman of the Year Award The New Balance Major League Lacrosse Sportsman of the Year Award is given annually to the best sportsman of the MLL. The award recognizes a player who has consistently demonstrated sportsmanship through tenacity, determination and fair play on the field over the course of the regular season. This... |
Tim Goettelmann | Long Island |
| Most Improved Player of the Year Award Major League Lacrosse Most Improved Player of the Year Award Warrior Major League Lacrosse Most Improved Player of the Year Award is given annually to the most improved player of the MLL. This award was first given in 2005.... |
Chris Eck | Boston |