University of Massachusets Athletics
Reid & Zywicki To Play For MLL Title Sunday
August 23, 2008 | Men's Lacrosse
Aug. 23, 2008
Boston, Mass. - UMass alums Jack Reid ('06) and Jeff Zywicki ('05) are set to play for their first Major League Lacrosse Championship after the Rochester Rattlers won a 16-15 overtime thriller over two-time defending champion Philadelphia on Saturday afternoon at Harvard Stadium. For the Rattlers, it marked the first postseason win in franchise history while it was the first playoff loss for the Barrage since they moved to Philadelphia from Bridgeport. Zywicki finished the game with a goal and assist while Reid was stellar on defense with three ground balls. They are set to face another UMass alum and current Denver assistant coach Bill Edell ('93) who led his Outlaws to a 13-12 comeback win over Los Angeles in the second semifinal matchup. Sunday's Championship Game will be nationally televised at 1 p.m. on ESPN2 and tickets are still available in person at the Harvard Stadium box office, by calling (617) 746-9933, or online at bostoncannons.com.
Zywicki's shorthanded tally gave Rochester a 3-0 lead at 7:24 of the first quarter. He later assisted on the first goal of the second half, a Casey Powell marker, which gave the Rattlers a 11-10 advantage. Reid continued his aggressive defense with three ground ball pickups, one shot on goal, and a penalty. Powell eventually ended the game at 45 seconds of overtime with an unassisted tally.
With a win over Denver on Sunday, it would mark both Reid and Zywicki's first-ever MLL Championship. Zywicki did play in the 2006 title game while with Denver. Despite scoring a goal, his Outlaws dropped a 23-12 decision to Philadelphia, starting a string of two-consecutive Championships that was snapped by the Rattlers on Saturday.
