Standout Performances: Week Three
Which athletes stood out on the pitch in week three? Check out our list below!
Peter Lawrence – Boston Forge (C)
Running behind a dominant beating performance from up and down the roster, chaser Peter Lawrence took advantage of their opportunities in transition and the half court for the second weekend in a row. Making good decisions and attacking the defense, Lawrence scored eight goals and added three assists, and they currently hold the league lead in goals with 20. They have absolutely thrived under new head coach Harry Greenhouse, playing a more uptempo style and assuming greater ballhandling responsibilities. With their ability to challenge point defenders in a triangle-and-one defense, they were a major reason why the Boston Forge were able to compete with the New York Titans and steal a game.
Josh Johnson – New York Titans (C)
In his much-anticipated debut for the New York Titans, chaser Josh Johnson delivered, subbing into a tight game one around the 14-minute mark and immediately leading his team on a 60-10 run. It could not have been more dramatic, as the Boston Forge had come out swinging and looked to set the tone for the series. Wearing the number 10 jersey long worn by the GOAT and his former teammate Augie Monroe (including when he played for the Titans franchise in their inaugural season), Johnson slammed the door shut. He shook off tackles and nailed shots on offense and showed the heightened alertness on hoop defense that he has displayed over the past year. He finished with 11 goals, five assists, and five stops on the series.
Emily Thompson – New Orleans Curse (C)
In her return to the New Orleans Curse after a season away, chaser Emily Thompson showed what her team had been missing and how much she can raise the ceiling for her program. She scored three goals and added four stops, tieing for third on the team among chasers. She adds another dimension to their offense, and while the Curse did not have their best performance as a team in the half court, her willingness to run the fast break and make opportunistic cuts helped them win the series in transition. On defense, she was one of many Curse players, including Marcellus Lewis and P.J. Mitchell, who made key plays to deny the League City Legends in game three.
Hayden Boyes – League City Legends (K)
In his first series as head coach, keeper Hayden Boyes helped the League City Legends come out well-prepared and well-organized, spacing out their passing options on offense and running a disciplined 2-2 zone on defense. While leading his team from the sidelines, Boyes stuffed the statsheet, with 15 goals, seven assists, and nine stops. As he has been doing since his age-21 season, Boyes carried much of the shot creation burden for League City, either beating defenders 1-on-1 or drawing in the defense and dishing to his teammates in advantageous situations. His nine stops were tied for the third highest of any player in a single series this season.
Honorable Mention
Baldemar Nunez – League City Legends (B)
Along with improved organization in the chaser game under head coach Hayden Boyes, beater Baldemar Nunez was the difference between the League City Legends taking a game off the New Orleans Curse and getting swept by their South Division rivals last season. In game two, Nunez made it difficult for the vaunted Curse beating corps to break down the League City half-court defense, sinking deep to the hoops and consistently winning exchanges with the likes of New Orleans beater Josh Mansfield. He played a ridiculous 75 drives, demonstrating his value to the Legends, and he finished with a series-high plus/minus of +7. His return from the San Antonio Soldados is proving to be one of the biggest storylines in the South Division this season.
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