Thanks to everyone for a very successful first weekend of Fall Ball, sponsored by Team NorCal.  2013 kicked off with some great action on Day 1, featuring some pretty good matchups and competition throughout the day.

Game 1: Outlaws v Rattlers.  The Outlaws sprinted out to an early lead in this one, up 2-1 in the opening few minutes.  But 4 straight goals by the Rattlers (2 from Chase Madrid) gave them a 5-2 cushion at the half.  Henry Holden scored a quick goal for the Outlaws to start the 2nd half, but another 3 goal run by the Rattlers put this one out of reach, and it finished with a Victory for the Rattlers by a score of 9-4.  Time of Possession was pretty even in this one, but thanks to the Net Efforts by Rattlers goalie Bruno Geoly (7 saves) it was tougher for the Outlaws to finish their offensive possessions.  Aidan Healy led all scorers in this one, and for the day, with 5 goals.  Henry Holden led the Outlaws with 2 goals.

Game 2: Cannons v Hounds.  This was a bit more of a Defensive display.  Both teams had trouble clearing the ball due to some great hustle and rides.  Defenseman Casey Hanni of the Hounds had at least a half dozen takeaways and caused turnovers with some well timed checks and solid play.  The Hounds jumped out to a 3-1 lead, but in the 2nd half, two M. Beisheim Top Shelf Blasts (clearly been working on his outside rips) tied the score at 3 apeice.  But Ronan Sidebottom of the Hounds found Jonathan Bailey on a backdoor cut, and Bailey found the back of the net for the deciding goal late in the 2nd half.  Connor Levy iced it for the Hounds with a goal in the final minutes, and this one ended 5-3 in favor of the Hounds. Levy and Ben Hastings both had 2 goals apiece for the Hounds.  Beisheim led all scorers in the game, as he notched all 3 goals for the Cannons.

Game 3: Bayhawks v Nationals.  Another competitive game with great Defensive efforts on both sides.  The Bayhawks definitely won the offensive assault and Time of Possession in this one, but off cage shots, and a fantastic goalie effort from Jeremy Rosenbaum (8 saves) kept the Bayhawks at bay.  The scoring was back and forth in this one, with 6 different players contributing to the 8 total goals.  The offensive onslaught by the Bayhawks though, led by Will Hare (2 goals) was too much for the Nationals, as the game ended 5-3.  Colin Merwin led the Nationals with 2 goals.  John Wise had 6 saves in the victory for the Bayhawks.

Game 4: Machine v Lizards.  Most entertaining, and highest scoring game of the day.  Long Pole Chase Bunce started things off in this one for the Machine with a coast to coast goal to kick off the scoring. After racing to a 5-1 lead, capped by 2 straight goals from Joe Rodrigues, it looked like it might turn into a blowout for the Machine.  But a top ched blast from the Lizards Sam Isola sparked a 3 goal run as the Lizards pulled within 1.  Rodrigues completed his hat trick with a goal, Isola answered to keep it close at 6-5.  But the balanced attack of the Machine proved too much, as three different Machine players rattled off 3 unanswered goals in the final few minutes, and the Machine won 9-5.  Kudos to the goalie play in this one as well, Dylan Edelson had 11 saves for the Lizards.  Luke Miller had 7 for the Machine (in only 1 half of play).  Isola and Rodrigues led all scorers, as each had a hat trick for their squad.  Keep your eyes out for a potential playoff rematch between these two teams.