Pride rolls past Bayhawks, 22-17

Baltimore allows 14 goals in second half, suffering second consecutive loss

Pro Lacrosse

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. - It's not the trend Baltimore was hoping for.

For the second straight game, the Bayhawks had lengthy sloppy stretches, and were defeated by an opponent they had previously handled.

Yesterday, it was the New Jersey Pride turning the tables, using a third-quarter explosion to roll past the Bayhawks, 22-17.

The Pride, losers of their past three coming into the game, including 18-11 to the Bayhawks (4-2) two weeks ago, scored 14 times in the second half and put up the highest goal total ever by a Bayhawks opponent.

"This game, it's amazing, every time you go out, you've got to be ready to play," said Bayhawks coach Gary Gait. "It's not always gonna go your way, but you've got to do what it takes to make it go your way, and we didn't do that."

The defining moments came early in the second half after the Pride had blown a four-goal lead in the last eight minutes of the second quarter.

With the Bayhawks leading 9-8, New Jersey scored five seconds into the third quarter, and again 53 seconds later to take the lead. Kip Fulks appeared to get the Bayhawks back on track, tying the game at 10, but New Jersey scored the next four goals.

The Pride had seven goals in the quarter, with Jesse Hubbard leading the charge. The league's goal-scoring champ from last season scored all three of his goals in the third.

Said Gait: "They took control of the game. They had possession and got opportunities and made us play a lot of defense, and wore us down."

Bayhawks midfielder Josh Sims said New Jersey just took control.

"They were doing a great job of picking the ball up off the ground, and really didn't give us any opportunities," Sims said. "I'm surprised, actually, we scored 17 goals, they had the ball so much."

Down 15-11 to start the fourth, the Bayhawks attempted to do the same thing New Jersey did to start the third, as Mark Millon and Sean Radebaugh each scored their second goal of the game in the first 90 seconds of the quarter.

Sensing the rush, Pride coach Ted Georgalas called timeout, and it turned out to be a stroke of genius. The Pride immediately reeled off three straight goals to make it 18-13 to seal the win.

Tom Marechek paced the Bayhawks with four goals, but no one else had more than two.

Baltimore returns home for a game with Boston on July 4 at 6 p.m., looking to end a two-game losing streak.

"We're not the first team to experience this in this league," Gait said. "We've been on the other side, and we know what it feels like, and we know what it takes to get back there."

NOTE: Goalkeeper Justin Cynar and defenseman Billy St. George were traded to the Bridgeport Barrage for goalkeeper Tim McGeeney and Bridgeport's fourth pick in the 2003 Major League Lacrosse collegiate draft.

Bayhawks 2 7 2 6 - 17

New Jersey 4 4 7 7 - 22

Goals: B-Marechek 4, Fulks 2, Radebaugh 2, Gait 2, Millon 2, Kessler, Shek, Testa, Sims, Collins; NJ-Jalbert 5, Urick 5, Hubbard 3, Malone 2, Colbert 2, Massey, Hess, Jacobs, Caione, Curry. Assists: B-Sims 2, Cantabene, Marechek, Gait, Collins; NJ-Hess 3, Melchionni 2, Curry, Hubbard, Jacobs, Cook. Saves: B-Cattrano 25; NJ-Koudelka 15. Att: 3,046.

Next for Bayhawks

Opponent:Boston Cannons

Site:Ravens Stadium

When:Thursday, 6 p.m.