Boston Cannons off to great start

With a win over the New York Lizards on Saturday, the Cannons improved their record to 3-0 on the young season, the best start to a campaign the franchise has ever had. It also displayed a complete turnaround from the 0-3 start the franchise opened up with in the 2018 season.

QUINCY -- The beginning of the 2019 season has been a historic start for the Boston Cannons. The team has settled in comfortably to their new home at Quincy’s Veterans Memorial Stadium, winning their first two home games, beating the New York Lizard’s both times, the second of which took place on Saturday when the Cannons beat the Lizards 18-11.

With the win, the Cannons improved their record to 3-0 on the young season, the best start to a campaign the franchise has ever had. It also displayed a complete turnaround from the 0-3 start the franchise opened up with in the 2018 season.

“Our guys battled tonight. We were really resilient tonight. Our coaches did a great job of preparing them,” said fourth year coach Sean Quirk.

Saturday’s win was led largely by Connor O’Hara and Mark Cockerton. O’Hara, who is the son of Lizards coach B.J. O’Hara, has already begun to prove himself as a Lizards killer, tallying 5 goals in his first two games against New York.

“I played against him once in high school, but its always special and makes you want to play that much harder,” said the younger O’Hara.

“(Will) Sands and O’Hara were a great duo in college and Connor had a great night for us. His confidence is growing and he’s becoming a guy we can really depend on,” Quirk said of the rookie attackman, who was a standout at Bucknell before making his debut in the MLL.

The 24-year-old O’Hara scored first for Boston (3-0), knotting the game at one after an early opening goal for the rival Lizards (0-4). The teams traded goals throughout the opening quarter, including another goal from O’Hara as well as tallies from Sands and Ryland Rees first career strike, which helped the Cannons jump out to a 6-3 lead after one.

The Cannons never trailed after they took the lead in the first quarter, continuing to pour on goals and winning various one-on-one defensive battles. O’Hara completed his hat trick in the third quarter and the rout was on.

The second half featured goals from Zed Williams, O’Hara, Kyle Denhoff, Kevin Reisman and four second half goals from Cockerton. Any chance of a New York comeback was thwarted by Duxbury native Nick Marrocco’s efforts in net, who made 11 saves.

O’Hara may have taken some notes from Cockerton’s playbook on how to effectively translate his game to the MLL level -- specifically against the Lizards. Cockerton, a seven-year veteran out of the University of Virginia, has made a living off of terrorizing New York, as he has tallied 25 goals and six assists in the six times he's faced the Lizards.

“I’ve been trying to find a role and get some chemistry with these guys,” said O’Hara, “It’s great to have leaders in the locker room, it definitely helps young guys.”

The Cannons hope to continue their record start when they take on Denver on Saturday at Veterans Memorial Stadium at 5 p.m.

“The attitude of these guys on the field and in the locker room is great. These guys are so coachable. They’re like sponges, they want to keep getting better, don’t get complacent and aren’t satisfied” said Quirk.