by ANNAPOLIS, MD – Attackman Lyle Thompson (Onondaga) continued his pursuit of the Major League Lacrosse single-season scoring record by amassing five points as the Chesapeake Bayhawks beat the Denver Outlaws, 12-9.
With this win and the Boston Cannon’s loss to the Atlanta Blaze, the Chesapeake Bayhawks (7-3) have claimed sole possession of first-place in Major League Lacrosse. Boston and Denver now sit even at 6-4.
It was Native American Celebration Night at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium and it was quite fitting for Thompson to put together another breathtaking performance. A product of the Onondaga Nation of the Iroquois Confederacy, Thompson scored three goals and assisted on two others to lead the Bayhawks en route to their third straight victory. Thompson’s first goal of the game marks his 100th MLL career goal.
“I just love playing this game. I think about that every time I step on the field,” Thompson said. “You add a special event like this, it just adds another log to that fire and fuels it. Mentally, I had a little more focus for this game.”
Prior to the game, the Piscataway Conoy Tribe, the Chesapeake Bay region’s local tribe, performed an “Edge of the Woods” ceremony with the full Bayhawks team and staff. This ceremony served to welcome the Bayhawks into the Piscataway Conoy’s territory and place a blessing on those involved.
An elaborate halftime ceremony featured members of various Native American tribes from Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia performing traditional chants and dances.
Following the game, Thompson and Bayhawks’ midfielder Brendan Bomberry, who hails from the Mohawk Nation of the Iroquois Confederacy, participated in what is known as a “blanket ceremony.”
Thompson, who leads MLL in scoring with 52 points, was thankful to Chesapeake Owner Brendan Kelly for putting together the Native American Celebration Night.
“It was special and shows that Brendan (Kelly) really cares about this game and its heritage. By honoring native Americans tonight, he helped tell the story of this great game,” Thompson said. “That was important to me and meant a lot to all the Native Americans who were here tonight to take part in this celebration.”
