Thompson brothers make history

ROCHESTER – Week 2 of the 2017 National Lacrosse League schedule brought with it a Guinness Book of World Record as the first professional game in which four brothers competed.

The place was the Infinite Energy Arena in Georgia, just minutes outside of Atlanta. The Georgia Swarm fielded brothers Miles, Lyle, and Jerome Thompson while Saskatchewan Rush brought brother Jeremy Thomson with them for the historic matchup.

The boys were up for the game and gave the fans what they wanted to see with Lyle earning eight points, Miles with five and Jerome with two for the Swarm, while Jeremy picked up an assist. Together they earned seven goals, nine assists for 12 game points between them in Georgia’s 18-10 win over the Rush, last years Champions Cup winners.

“It’s always quite the accomplishment when you get to play at the highest level of lacrosse and to be playing against the brothers makes it that much more meaningful,” said Jeremy Thompson. “It’s not every sports season you get to see a group of brothers playing amongst or against each other at a high level of lacrosse. I know my brothers are playing for the same reasons as me, and that makes this a very special event.”

Miles was the opportunist on a powerplay at 2:03 of the first quarter from Jordan Hall to score the first game of the night. He also closed the quarter from Six Nations’ Randy Staats but in between there was lots of scoring with Georgia holding a 4-3 first quarter lead.

The second quarter was divided evenly with the Rush scoring the first four and the Swarm scoring the last four to go into the half-time intermission with Georgia clinging to a one goal lead at 8-7 with lots of lacrosse left to play. Miles scored his third of the game on a powerplay while Lyle was gathering four assists, being in on the last four goals of the half. Jerome also accounted for an assist.

Randy Staats opened and closed the third quarter followed by Lyle’s first goal of the night from Staats. Lyle assisted on Staats’ second goal.

Shayne Jackson scored the 13-8 goal at 5:10 of the last quarter shorthanded followed by Lyle Thompson’s 14-8 shorthander two minutes later.

Jeremy Thompson, a transitional player, got on the score sheet assisting on Saskatchewan’s Adrian Sotichette on a Rush powerplay. Jackson scored again at 2:10 of the explosive quarter with Miles adding another at 3:39. The Rush added one to their side of the ledger at 6:56 but Jerome Thompson converted a pass from brother Lyle and Staats closed out the game at 13:25 with The Swarm taking the two points in this very early NLL season.

“Having four incredibly talented siblings and world class lacrosse athletes play in our League is a rare feat, and a testament to their athletic skill and passion for box lacrosse,” said Nick Sakiewicz, Commissioner of the National Lacrosse League before the game. “The Swarm and Rush going head-to-head will be an intense, action-packed, and thrilling game of brother vs. brother. It’s a truly a historic moment — for the sport, the League, and the Thompson Brothers. This is a once in a lifetime and cannot miss event.”

Elsewhere around the league, the Six Nations owned Rochester Knighthawks put down the New England Black Wolves 15-8. Rookie Kyle Jackson scored two and assisted on nine for an 11-point debut.

Steve Keogh scored three and assisted on three while Josh Currier scored three and assisted on two. Six Nations’ Quinn Powless two and assisted on one while Wayne VanEvery picked up a goal and an assist. Matt Vinc was good for the K-hawks win in goal.

Out west, the Vancouver Stealth took out the Calgary Roughnecks 12-11, Friday night and took the better side of a 15-9 win over the Colorado Mammoth, Saturday night.

The Toronto Rock started their 2017 campaign back on December 29 with a 12-5 win over the Rochester Knighthawks.

December 30, the Buffalo Bandits opened their season with a 12-8 loss to the Colorado Mammoth in which Six Nations Alex Kedoh Hill scored two goals.

Looking ahead, on Saturday, January 14, Saskatchewan is at Toronto, Georgia is in Buffalo, New England is in Colorado, and Calgary is in Vancouver.

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