When
you look at short-stick defensive unit for the Cannons it's pretty scary to see
how much talent they have at this position. These three players really bring a
great mind-set of defense first to this team.
The Rookie:
Jake Matthai North Carolina '16
In
this years' Collegiate Major League lacrosse draft the Cannons selected a big
guy from North Carolina in the 5th round 41st overall his name Jake Matthai.
Matthai has been a impact player for the Tar Heels since he stepped on campus
has been a big part of the Tar Heels in his time there on the defense of side
of the ball. Let me just say this Jake Matthai is a beast he stands at 6'6 230
lbs. that is one bad man right there, one of those guys you don't want to have
running at you in any game. In his freshmen year Matthai saw action in 17 games
that year but had not been completely turned into a defensive midfielder yet.
That year he had four goals and two assists and scooped up 10 ground balls and had
two caused turnovers. Matthai's sophomore year saw him officially change to a
full time defensive midfielder playing in every game that year,
Matthai recorded five goals on the season had 14 ground balls, and had
caused three turnovers on the year. Matthai continued to play well and his
junior year he once again played in every game, he had 21 ground balls on the
year and caused 5 turnovers on the year. Matthai also added 2 goals and 3
assists on the year. Matthai entered his senior year this season, as a
captain for the Tar Heels, Matthai has played well so far this season for the
Tar Heels, so far this year Matthai has one goal and two assists on the season
as well as 12 ground balls in only 5 games played. Matthai should have a
big impact this season for the Cannons he has the size and the strength to play
in the MLL so it won't surprise me if he immediately steps in and
sees sometime at the position as a one-two punch along side Josh Hawkins.
Young Gun:
T.A. Demoulas Bentley '15
Just
last year the Cannons selected T.A. Demoulas in the 8th round 56th overall. The
Lowell, Massachusetts native was a key part of Bentley lacrosse in his time
there seeing time in 54 games in his time at Bentley starting in 51 of those
games. In his four years Demoulas scooped up 150 ground balls including a
career high 58 ground balls in his Junior year. That year Demoulas also had a
career high 15 turnovers that season, and had 41 caused turnovers in his career
at Bentley. Demoulas did not see any time playing for the Cannons last year but
it is possible he could see some playing time this year. Demoulas is a local
guy so in all honesty it would not surprise me if played a game since he
lives close.
The Stud:
Josh Hawkins Loyola '13
Josh
Hawkins is the dream short-stick midfielder, people aspire to play like him and
have the impact he has when he steps on the field. Hawkins really came into the
spotlight in his junior year at Loyola when he helped lead the GreyHounds to a
National Championship that year, and left behind a fantastic career finishing
with 172 ground balls, but Hawkins also has some offensive game to scoring 26
goals in his 4 years at Loyola. In the 2013 MLL collegiate draft Hawkins was
selected in the 1st round 5th overall by the Hamilton Nationals (no longer
exist). Sadly Hawkins did not get to spend much time in Hamilton only playing
in 3 games for them scoring 2 goals and had 8 ground balls. Approaching the
trade deadline in Hawkins rookie year he was traded to the Charlotte Hounds to
help them make a post-season run. Hawkins played in 5 more regular season games
for the Hounds scoring 3 goals and picking up 12 ground balls. Hawkins did have
the chance to help the Hounds in a playoff run that season but it did not end
the way he probably dreamed it to end, seeing the Hounds lose in the title game
that year to the Chesapeake Bayhawks 10-9. Hawkins in the playoff run had 1
assist and picked up 5 ground balls. In Hawkins 2nd season in the MLL things
seemed to be looking good for Hawkins he played in every game that year for the
Hounds scoring 6 goals and dishing out 2 assists and had a career high 32
ground balls that season. Then came the 2015 season Hawkins started the year
playing for the Hounds playing in their first 7 games he had 3 goals and had
added 14 ground balls. But come trade deadline time Hawkins was once against
dealt away this time he was coming home, traded to the Boston Cannons. The
Amherst, Massachusetts native was coming home and in his time returning back to
Boston he continued to play well. Hawkins finished the season playing for the
Cannons playing in 6 games, he scored 3 goals and dished out 3 assists as well
as picking up 14 ground balls. Hawkins added an even better defense first
player to the Cannons roster to make them look even better. Hawkins also helped
the Cannons give the Lizards a game in the playoffs last year scoring 2 goals
and picking up 1 ground ball in the game. The way Hawkins plays is a little
different from other defensive midfielders, he does have that defense first
mentality but he can play offense. In fact Hawkins has a really good shot, and
knows how to put his shot on net, and he doesn't take bad shots either. I
expect Hawkins to play in every game this year since his job is located in
Boston working for the newly started Lacrosse Sports Network which is a TV
network completely dedicated to lacrosse, where he co-hosts his own show, check
out some quality stuff.
Short-Stick
Defensive Midfielders Depth Chart:
Starter:
Josh Hawkins
2nd:
Jake Matthai
3rd:
T.A. Demoulas
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