July 2, 2009

As a precursor to Military Appreciation Night at the Long Island-Washington MLL game on Saturday at 6:15 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, the team caught up with MLL and Navy All-American goalie Matt Russell.

Being thousands of miles from home does not keep Matt Russell out of the loop. Russell, a Washington Bayhawks goalie and 1st Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps, is following his team with high hopes. Russell is currently stationed in Baghdad, Iraq. He has been deployed since March.

"As I reflect on my time playing within Navy-Marine Corps Stadium starring at the battles written on the walls, I am honored and humbled to be a part of the tradition of our Armed Forces," Russell recently wrote to the Bayhawks. "Waking up every morning in Baghdad, Iraq, away from my family and friends is not a difficult task when I know what type of people I am fighting for. Every day I am flooded with support from the lacrosse community. So thank you to the Washington Bayhawks, coaches, players, fans and especially the entire lacrosse community for being my inspiration."

For the complete article by Christian Swezey from Inside Lacrosse click here