Chaos keep it rolling in 14-10 win over Cannons

While it was Paul Rabil who had a record-breaking performance, it was the Chaos who defeated the Cannons 14-10 on Long Island Saturday afternoon. 

Rabil needed just two points to tie John Grant Jr. as the all-time career leader in points – he did that and then some. Rabil (3G, 3A) led the Cannons with six points, but it wasn’t enough to capture a win for them. 

Before today’s game, the Chaos were in last place in faceoff percentage, only winning 33% of their matchups. Max Adler had an impressive showing and was one of the difference makers in today’s game. He went 65% at the stripe, which was a season-high. 

“Blaze Riorden was the No. 1 star of the game, in my opinion,” said Chaos head coach Andy Towers. “He was incredible start to finish, but Max Alder was incredible as well. Credit their guy. They kind of battled in the first half and then Max took over in the second half, and that allowed us to have possessions where we ran offense and made smart conservative decisions.” 

Even though the Cannons only won 33% of their faceoffs, they were still able to put up 27 shots compared to Chaos’ 28. Chaos had 21 turnovers, but the Cannons couldn’t convert them into goals — Riorden was a big reason why. He recorded 17 saves. It was also Riorden and their defense that limited Lyle Thompson to just one goal. 

“I don’t get a chance to talk about Lyle enough being on the other side of the ball," Riorden said. “It’s hard because as a competitor, I want to win every game, but what he’s done for the game both on and off the field and what he represents, I couldn’t be any prouder to call him a friend and to play three years at Albany with him...There was plenty of times my freshman year, three weeks into the season, I’d call my dad with tears in my eyes saying I wasn’t good enough to play Division 1 lacrosse because him, his brother and cousin made my job really hard.”

Rowlett was the one who was guarding Thompson for the majority of the night. Riorden credited Rowlett for how well he matched up with him.

“I told Jack Rowlett, he was getting his nose put back in the locker room,” Riorden said. “I said I’ve never seen anyone play him that well, and I’ve seen a lot of guys play him. Caps off to 9’s and also the support around him. We make plays, and that’s that. 

Although Chaos walked away with the win, it was the Cannons who started out strong. Stephen Rehfuss scored two goals in 33 seconds to put them up 2-0. After Reece Eddy hit a 2-pointer to give the Cannons a four-point lead with 37 seconds left to play in the first half, Ian MacKay scored with just four seconds left to cut their deficit to 8-5 at the half. 

MacKay’s goal before the half and a 4-0 run to start the third quarter gave Chaos their first lead since seven seconds left in the first quarter. Chaos held Cannons to just two goals the rest of the game to capture their second straight win. 

With their third straight loss, the Cannons are now 1-4. 

“We spoke briefly after today’s game, and we’ll get together early this week,” said Cannons head coach Sean Quirk. We have a big doubleheader this week in Minneapolis, and the message is pretty simple, we have to be better — the players and the coaches and get back on board, so to speak. I know that’s something this group will be ready to do. They’re mentally tough.” 

In Minnesota, the Cannons will take on the Waterdogs on July 9 at 8:00 p.m and the Archers on July 11 at 7:30 p.m. Chaos takes on Atlas on July 10 at 8:45 p.m.