In a turnaround of fit for the sports annals, what seemed a disaster in the 2004 season looks genius in 2005. After trading all everything goaltender Greg Cattrano to the Philadelphia Barrage for the 1st pick in the MLL Collegiate draft, Baltimore selected record setting Mikey Powell from the recent NCAA national champions Syracuse University.
Mikey Powell takes a diving shot against New Jersey Pride goalie Scott Schroeder.
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Mikey Powell decided to sit out the year to pursue other interests and the Bayhawks struggled, going 1-5 at home and falling to the Boston Cannons in the MLL Semifinals, not making the title game for the first time in MLL history. Baltimore struggled in goal all season, alternating play between Rob Scherr (Johns Hopkins ’03) and Mike Levine (Brown ’04). The Barrage, anchored in goal by Greg Cattrano went on to win the championship over the Boston Cannons.
The off-season proved to be productive for Baltimore, trading star attackman Mark Millon to the Boston Cannons for goaltender Trevor Tierney (Princeton ’01). Mikey Powell also decided it was time to play in the MLL.
With the loss of Mark Millon, player head coach Gary Gait moved from midfield to attack, creating an all Orangemen starting attack unit featuring two of the greatest to wear #22 at Syracuse. Gait and Powell are joined by “Hollywood” Tom Maracheck (Syracuse ’90) with his flashy behind the back shots and passing.
Player / Head Coach Gary Gait in action during the Bayhawks home opener.
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Through their two games this season, the Bayhawks have scored 45 goals, with the attack unit accounting for 15 goals and 6 assists.
The goals have been scored in spectacular fashion, with Gary Gait scoring by jumping and putting the ball between his legs to beat the goalie. In his first professional game, Mikey Powell wowed the crowed in Seattle by attempting (an unsuccessful) “Air Gait”. In his first game before the home fans in Baltimore, Powell scored several impressive goals, one on a sprawling, diving shot, and another coming free in from the crease to go one on one with Pride goalie Scott Schroeder, making 4 fakes before putting the ball in the cage.
Baltimore also features a dangerous midfield including Josh Sims, Jeff Sonke, Mark Frye, Gavin Prout and off-season acquisition David Curry. Paul Cantabene is a dominating face-off specialist.
Note: Rochester vs Baltimore will feature 4 of Syracuse #22 greats on the same field. Casey and Ryan Powell of the Rattlers will battle Gary Gait and Mikey Powell of the Bayhawks.
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