UAlbany Alum Thomson Scores 7 goals as New Jersey upsets Long Island in high-scoring showdown

If there is one thing that is guaranteed about Major League Lacrosse, it is the fact that fans can be sure they will see plenty of scoring. The game between New Jersey and Long Island was no exception as the teams combined for a season-high 46 points in the Pride's 26-20 victory over the Lizards at Mitchel Athletic Complex, snapping Long Island's five-game win streak.

It was the highest-scoring game in the MLL this season and tied for the third-highest scoring game in the league's eight-year history. The 46 points are also the most since Rochester and Denver combined to score a league-record 53 points last year at INVESCO Field at Mile High.

Merrick Thomson led the offensive explosion with a career-high nine points, matching the most by a player in the league this year. He scored a career-high seven goals and had two assists, barely missing the New Jersey single-game points record set by former Pride attackman Jesse Hubbard. Thomson, who was named as the Bud Light MVP, tied a team record with the fourth seven-goal effort in the Pride's eight-year history. Hubbard had recorded the other three seven-goal efforts.

Rookie attackman Matt Danowski also had the best night of his brief professional career. He recorded a season-high nine points, scoring four goals with three assists. Of his four goals, two of them were from two-point range.

While New Jersey was busy setting team records, Long Island midfielder Peter Vlahakis was busy chasing the MLL record book. The three-time MLL Defensive Player of the Week honoree set a league record by winning 35 of 48 face-offs while adding 17 ground balls with a goal.

Keith Cromwell and Chris Fiore took advantage of Vlahakis' success at the face-off "x" by each scoring four goals with three assists. Meanwhile, Spencer Ford scored twice and also had three assists, upping his MLL-leading total to 23 on the season.

The Pride, who have won two of their last three games, snapped a two-game losing streak against the Lizards. Long Island still leads the series by a 12-7 margin.