Phil Shore, our resident Major League Lacrosse writer, previews all nine MLL teams, in reverse order of projected finish, leading up to opening day Saturday.

Check uslaxmagazine.com/mll before and throughout the season for more analysis and stories from the premier professional outdoor lacrosse league.

Ohio Machine

Projected finish: 4th
2016 record: 8-6
MLL playoff finish: Lost in championship game
Coach: Bear Davis, 5th season

Power Rankings (Scale of 1-5)

Offense: 5
Defense: 4
Faceoffs: 3
Goalie: 4

Key losses: Dan Groot, M; Reagan Harding, M; Remington Pope, M

Top returners: Marcus Holman, A; Peter Baum, M; Tom Schreiber, M

New arrivals: Kevin Cunningham, A; Patrick Harbeson, M; Joe McCallion, M

MVP Watch

Marcus Holman, A

The team employs 2016’s MVP,  Tom Schreiber, but he’ll miss a large chunk of games due to NLL commitments. That could put a little more load on the shoulders of Holman. He was tied for second in the league in goals (42) and was also in the top 15 in assists (16).

Under-the-Radar Star

Kevin Cunningham, A

The Villanova product hasn’t stayed with previous teams for long, but he has been productive. In his first three seasons, he had at least 28 points in each. In 11 games in 2016 he had his lowest numbers for goals, assists, and points, but surrounded by so many dangerous targets in Ohio could open more opportunities for him.

Scouting Report

Three things you need to know about the Machine:

1. They’ll play in a new stadium.

The Machine moved to Obetz, Ohio, to play at Obetz Fortress Field, and according to the team’s press release, is the nation’s first “professional lacrosse-focused facility.” The press release said the project cost $15 million. Davis is excited for the change in scenery. “We have a live camera on it. I check on it every other day to see what’s going on,” he said in February. “We feel we’re in a non-traditional market, not place where the first MLL-catered stadium will be built. We don’t play second fiddle to a college graduation or something of that nature. They’ll have their own locker and not worry about a soccer camp coming in. It helps mature the league. We’re excited to be a part of that.”

2. Balance is key.

A compliment given to the Machine is that they are difficult to match up with on offense due to the abundance of talent. Last year, however, the team also showed its strength on defense and at the faceoff X. The team had seven all-star selections, including goalie Scott Rodgers, defender Jackson Place and faceoff specialist Greg Puskuldjian. “We have to complement each other,” Davis said. “If we’re going to play a fast pace and look for a high volume amount of shots, we need our defense to press out and put the ball on the ground. We dress six poles and play a lot of defensemen so we don’t wear down. Our guys buy in to the overall philosophy and how we look as a total 19 rather than an individual.”

3. John Grant Jr. retired.

The Machine acquired the multiple-time league champion and all-time leading scorer at the trade deadline in 2016. He proved he still had something left in the tank, scoring 10 goals in a regular season game against the Lizards. He then had six goals and three assists in the semifinals against Charlotte. Ohio was banking on one more year from Junior, but after suffering a concussion during the NLL season, he announced his retirement Wednesday, rejoining the Denver Outlaws as an assistant coach.

Biggest Question Mark

How much does Schreiber’s absence hurt them?

It’s not an issue the team traditionally has had to deal with before, but Ohio will be hurt by the MLL-NLL overlap in 2017. Tom Schreiber, the team’s leading scorer and the league’s MVP, will miss the start of the season because he is currently playing for the Toronto Rock. Davis acknowledged the issue, but isn’t in a panic. “You don’t have your MVP, you’re going to be in a situation,” he said. “Our overall philosophy is an over-used cliché, but it’s next man up. We’re going to need every one of our 25 to win. They need to be ready to go.” Ohio’s midfield depth took another hit when Kyle Harrison underwent ankle surgery. He is out for the first half of the season.

Enemy Lines

What the opposition has to say about Ohio:

“One of the best teams in the league every year. … They’re scary offensively. The fact they haven’t won it in the past few years is scary. … We have the most trouble with them. They’re unselfish. They have all the pieces in place. Their defense is very solid and they play as a unit. … When you put Shcreiber and Holman together, they make everybody on the team good. That’s a great recipe for success. … They’re very balanced and well-rounded, and they’ll make a run at it again with another year of experience if they stay healthy.”

Number of Significance

26

Ohio was second in the league in point differential in 2017 at plus-26. The team finished second in both goals scored (209) and fewest goals allowed (183). The team’s two biggest victories came against the New York Lizards, with wins by 12 and nine goals.

Bottom Line

Every year the Machine get better and reach new heights. While there are some smaller hurdles still to clear – Ohio went winless in Atlanta in 2016 – the last frontier is winning an MLL championship. This is a well-balanced squad that will be a contender.