Atlanta will host the Denver Outlaws at Fifth Third Bank Stadium at 7 p.m.
The Atlanta Blaze, Atlanta’s professional outdoor lacrosse team, can advance to the playoffs in Major League Lacrosse (MLL) with a win this Saturday, Aug. 4 at Fifth Third Bank Stadium. The Blaze (7-6) will face the Denver Outlaws (7-6) in a win-and-we’re-in battle that begins at 7 p.m.
Blaze head coach Liam Banks issued this plea to the community shortly after arriving home from Florida.
“First of all, we appreciate everything that has happened this year and the support that we’ve had,” he said after the team’s fourth straight victory. “We need you out there Saturday night. The athletes we have on the team are special people. I am asking for support from the lacrosse community, the sports community in Atlanta and throughout the state of Georgia. You’ll have a great time out there and we want Fifth Third Bank Stadium to be as loud as possible. This is our first opportunity to go to the playoffs and we want to be winners. Please come out and support us. Cobb Chamber members receive a discount: atlantablaze.com/tickets (Promo Code: PARTNERS).
With their collective backs to the wall since June 23, the Blaze has reeled off four straight wins with essential contributions from numerous players. Former Walton H.S. great, Scott Ratliff, has made an impact at both ends of the field and regularly fights to gain extra possessions for his team by scooping up ground balls. Rookies Christian Cuccinello, MLL’s offensive player of the week, and Connor Kelly, MLL’s rookie of the week, combined for 11 goals and seven assists during the Blaze’s two victories last week and have posted 18 goals and eight assists during Atlanta’s win streak. Goalie Adam Ghitelman and his defensive mates have limited opponents to just 11 goals per game in the last four wins. In addition, the defense has decreased the number of shot attempts he has faced by seven per game.
The Blaze has made steady improvement each season and this year eight different rookies have made significant contributions, which means the future is bright. Cuccinello and Kelly have lessened the scoring burden placed upon leading goal scorer, Kevin Rice, and midfielders Austin Sims, Kyle McClancy and Jack Korzelius also have made an impact.
For tickets, please visit atlantablaze.com/tickets (Promo Code: PARTNERS).
