(Rochester, NY)... Rochester Rattlers Ryan Powell and Tillman Johnson were both honored with weekly Major League Lacrosse awards after Rochester’s 14-12 on Sunday against the Baltimore Bayhawks. The win was the first ever in Baltimore by the Rattlers in six tries and ended an eight-game losing streak to the Bayhawks.
Powell won his second MLL Offensive Player of the Week award, registering seven points (4+3) in the road win at Baltimore. He also assisted on the game-winning goal and added an insurance goal down the stretch. He now has 24 points (14+10) in three games and is second in the league in points.

Johnson received Cascade Rookie of the Week accolades as he shut down the highest-scoring team in the MLL and made 22 saves in his pro debut. He preserved the first victory of his career by making nine saves in the fourth quarter. He also recorded 14 saves in the second half to tie Brian Dougherty’s single-game franchise record set in 2001.

The Rattlers acquired Johnson on June 3rd from the Philadelphia Barrage. The deal also brought midfielder Steve Vallone and a 2005 third-round collegiate draft pick over to the Rattlers in exchange for attackman Ryan Boyle and midfielder Mike Mollot.

Johnson was Philadelphia’s first-round selection (third overall) in the 2004 MLL Collegiate Draft. Johnson played four seasons for the University of Virginia Cavaliers and was named the 2003 Division I Goalie of the Year and the USILA Player of the Year, as he led his team to the national championship. In 2003, he was also named a First Team All-American.

This year, he was one of 15 men's lacrosse players in the running for the Tewaaraton Trophy, given each year to the top player in the country. In 2004, he also earned Third Team All-American honors. In addition, the senior captain from Annapolis, Md., was named to the All-ACC team for the third time, the first goalie in league history to achieve that feat.

The Rattlers will hold a practice on Thursday, June 17th at 7:30 p.m. at Bishop Kearney Field in Irondequoit. Rochester returns to action on Friday, June 18th to battle the New Jersey Pride at home at 7:30 p.m. That evening Rochester will honor the Nazareth College men’s lacrosse team for reaching the Division III national championship game. Special $5.00 tickets are available by calling (585) 454-5425.