June 25, 2009
Schneider can't silence Cannons
by Staff Report/
After a stellar career at UMass, Doc Schneider wasn't naive about what he would imminently face when he became the first goalie selected in Major League Lacrosse's Collegiate Draft last month.
"A shot’s a shot," said Schneider on draft night. "Coming from great players in the MLL, it’s going to be exciting, a great challenge. I’ve just got to focus."
Earlier this month, in his first professional game, the Toronto goalie made several crucial first-half saves in a victory over Washington and was named MLL Rookie of the Week.
Thursday night, before 7,532 at Harvard Stadium, Schneider struggled in the first half and the red-hot Cannons scored on 11 of their 21 shots against the former Minuteman en route to a 19-15 victory.
Sean Morris, also a former UMass star, led the Cannons (4-3) to their third straight victory, scoring four goals and adding three assists. Rookie Brandon Corp was at his crowd-pleasing best, scoring four goals and adding an assist for the Cannons, who moved into a third-place tie with the Nationals.
Schneider was replaced by Brett Queener in the second half.
Toronto attackman Joe Walters (four assists) was held without a goal by Boston long stick Kyle Sweeney. Boston goalie Mike Levin stopped 18 shots.
Toronto's Brodie Merril was able to contain Paul Rabil, who was limited to two goals and an assist. Last week, Rabil had nine points and was named the league's Offensive Player of the Week. But Rabil had plenty of help, with Greg Downing (three goals, one assist) and Matt Poskay (two goals, two assists) each contributing four points.
The Cannons are off until July 4 when they take on the first-place Outlaws in Denver.
