What is better than enjoying a beautiful, late-July Saturday evening taking in some action-packed lacrosse? How about watching the hometown team clinch a home game for the first round of the playoffs with an exciting 17 to 16 win!?
Last Saturday, July 25th, fans filed into Selby Stadium in Delaware, OH, to catch the final home stand of the regular season for their beloved Ohio Machine. Fan Appreciation Day was filled with loads of activities, deals, prizes and fun, and was rightfully capped off with a thrilling Machine victory.
Win, and the Machine clinch their first home playoff game in franchise history. Lose, and they hit the road again for the second straight year. The Machine were looking to go for another historic season, and the fans knew what they had to do to help make it a reality.
Last season the Machine capped off a historic regular season run by clinching their first ever playoff bid in front of an electrifying home crowd. Another chance to make history, and the fans did not disappoint. Ohio knows how to bring the energy, especially when they know the stakes are high.
As the game went down to the wire, with the Machine down with under four minutes in the game, the crowd only got more energized. The fans were not going to back down from a chance to help push the team to a comeback win. From the opening face-off, to the final whistle, the fans brought it the whole night.
The series of events in those final minutes continued to charge the crowd. The tying goal intensified the cheering. A Brian Farrell timeout call as he was clearing the ball past the home bench had everyone on their feet. He ran up to the edge of the bench to help bring the crowd to a roar. Adding to this was that the clear came off a great defensive stand to keep the Cannons at bay.
The former Tar Heels, Jimmy Bitter and Marcus Holman, both collected a hat-trick while Tom Schrieber and Steele Stanwick went above and beyond by both bringing in 4 goals in the game.
Emcee Mike Todd also aided in energizing the fans throughout the night. Every seat was empty as the clock wound down through the go ahead goal and one last defensive stand.
Don’t just take my word on how much the Ohio fans mean to the team, see what the front office had to say about their supporters.
The Machine bring their three game winning streak and historic run to the table tonight, Saturday August 1st, at Selby Stadium. Game time is slated for 4 p.m. and will be televised on ESPN3.
The Machine (9-5) clinched the second seed in the playoffs as they play host to the third seeded Rochester Rattlers (8-6). The teams squared off earlier this season in back-to-back week games. Ohio took a 17-12 win on the road while suffering a hard fought 16-15 loss at home the following week.
This is also a rematch of last year’s playoff matchup. Ohio traveled to Rochester for a 4 vs. 1 seed battle that was taken by the Rattlers. The Rattlers advanced to the MLL finals the following week where they were defeated by the Denver Outlaws.
Tickets are still available on the Machine website. You won’t want to miss this historic event and a chance to cheer the Ohio Machine to the MLL finals. So bring the noise, Oil Up, and see you at Selby!
