On Tuesday, the Chesapeake Bayhawks announced that they have signed Lyle Thompson to a new deal. The Bayahwks attackman was named 2019 MLL MVP and was influential in the Chesapeake’s 2019 season that ended with the team winning the franchise’s sixth title.
“Lyle sees the field in a way that most players can only dream to,” Chesapeake Bayhawks head coach Tom Mariano said in the team’s release. “We will be mid-play, but in a split-second Lyle will see a narrow alley, perfectly read the defense, and release a sniper shot to score. He capitalizes on every opportunity for his teammates and for himself. I look forward to returning to the field with Lyle and the Bayhawks this summer to chase another championship.”
Thompson is entering his fourth season with the Bayhawks and his fifth season in the league. Last season he led the league with a career high 81 points and 51 goals.
“Lacrosse has been a part of my life, my whole life,” Thompson said in the team’s release. “This break in play due to the uncertain times we live in, has been difficult. The game is a part of who we are as native people because it’s a traditional game and, for us, we use the game as medicine for ourselves and for our community. I am honored I will have the opportunity to bring the medicine game back to the Chesapeake and national lacrosse communities this summer. We are healing as a nation across many fronts and it is only fitting that lacrosse plays a role during this time of healing.”
This new deal is believed to be an extension of the contract that Thompson signed in 2017 and was set to expire in 2021. The value and terms of this new contract were not revealed in the Chesapeake Bayhawks announcement.
