Photo courtesy of the NLL
Written by Gary Groob – Executive Director of All Lacrosse All The Time
The Georgia Swarm (3-0) traveled to San Diego to face the Seals (1-2) in a rematch from week one in which Georgia won in OT, at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego, CA.
The Swarm has had two close games to start the season. Brett Dobson has been stellar in net. Georgia’s offense, led by Lyle Thompson, Andrew Kew, Shayne Jackson and Brendan Bomberry has been good, but still hasn’t fired on all cylinders yet this season.
For San Diego, Rob Hellyer, Ryan Benesch, Wes Berg, Kyle Jackson and Ben McIntosh have all put together a solid start to the season.
The goaltending match-up had Brett Dobson in net for the Swarm facing Chris Origlieri in net for the Seals.
A penalty filled first half saw both teams get plenty of opportunities. A very tightly played half never saw anyone get up by more than one goal. At the half, San Diego 4 Georgia 4.
The second half had Georgia take control. Lyle Thompson and Brendan Bomberry stepped to the forefront, while the Seals were making uncharacteristically sloppy mistakes. The difference in the game was the aggressive attack the Swarm had in the third, scoring four times to change the complexion of the game. Georgia wins the season series 2-0 with an 11-8 victory
To The Game:
The Swarm opened the scoring when Bryan Cole finished an Andrew Kew pass from in close at 3:54. San Diego replied when Wes Berg blasted a Zach Currier feed at 4:30, followed by Ben McIntosh converting Berg pass at 11:07.
https://twitter.com/NLL/status/1870672201344483681?t=KzaCjs48H9QxKaBrcRKzSQ&s=19
After one quarter, San Diego 2 Georgia 1.
Second Quarter:
Shayne Jackson tied the game for Georgia quick sticking an Andrew Kew pass at 1:57, but San Diego regained the lead with Ryan Benesch firing a low to low laser off a Kyle Jackson pass at 4:19.
Brendan Bomberry once again tied the game on the power-play with a sidearm snipe off a Bryan Cole pass at 5:46, but Benesch scored again on a beautiful backhand shovel off a Rob Hellyer feed at 8:00 to regain the Seals lead.
The Swarm answered back on the power-play with a tic-tac-toe play. A behind the back pass from Andrew Kew to Shayne Jackson, then finding Lyle Thompson all alone at the side of the net for the marker at 9:18.
https://twitter.com/NLL/status/1870679693558444052?t=L_ajVnLLsdsM9Jq3Me8VRw&s=19
At the half, San Diego 4 Georgia 4.
60 – Uniforms & Apparel
Instagram – Suite_60
Third Quarter:
The Swarm opened the third quarter scoring on the power-play when Bryan Cole fired an absolute howitzer past Chris Origlieri off an Andrew Kew pass at 1:56, followed by Lyle Thompson with a great individual effort jumping across the crease shooting high to low for the highlight reel goal at 3:40.
https://twitter.com/NLL/status/1870687867057373456?t=82bIf2-vPXbAUWEYMaUOUQ&s=19
Ryan Benesch got the Seals closer with his third of the game wiring a low to low laser to the far corner off an Adam Noakes pass at 4:51.
Brendan Bomberry also showed his creativity from in close faking far post, scoring shortside off a Lyle Thompson pass at 11:20, followed by Jordan MacIntosh in transition finishing an Adam Wiedemann pass at 12:10.
After three quarters, Georgia 8 San Diego 5.
Fourth Quarter:
San Diego came back with a pair of goals to get rolling in the fourth. Rob Hellyer opened the scoring with a low to low laser off a Kyle Jackson feed at 2:02, followed by Ben McIntosh bringing the Seals within one with a quick stick from in front also off a Kyle Jackson pass at 10:28.
Georgia continued their second half dominance with Brendan Bomberry scoring his third of the night from in front off a Seth Oakes pass at 6:16, followed by Lyle Thompson with his third of the night converting a sloppy Seals turnover in their own end at 9:01.
Ryan Benesch kept his big night going with his fourth on the power-play. A low to low laser to the far corner of a Rob Hellyer flip pass at 9:48 kept the Seals close, but an empty net goal from Bryan Cole sealed the deal for Georgia.
Final score, Georgia 11 San Diego 8.
https://twitter.com/NLL/status/1870702478699765860?t=pO1yhM47nu-MV2jF9fIHRA&s=19
The Three Stars:
1. Lyle Thompson
2. Ryan Benesch
3. Brendan Bomberry
Game Stats:
- Shots on goal favored San Diego 48-44.
- The faceoff battle was won by the Swarm 14-9.
- The loose ball battle went to San Diego 66-59.
- Georgia went 3 for 5 on the power-play, while the Seals went 1 for 3.
Don’t forget to check us out every Sunday night at 8pm (ET) on all our social media platforms
