Tim Yilmaz, Beat Writer New York Lizards
Lacrosse is Awesome
NY (June 3, 2016) – New York returned from their week off eager to earn another home victory versus the Denver Outlaws and that they did, bumping their record up to 4-1.
The Lizards came out hot to start the game, as they quickly gained possession after the opening faceoff between Tom Kelly and Greg “Beast” Gurenlian. With just over a minute played in the first quarter, Dave Lawson opened the game with a two-pointer after a feed from JoJo Marasco. Drew Adams made two tremendous saves within the first five minutes, however Eric Law was able to beat him to make the score 2-1. The Lizards struck back immediately with time on the shot-clock winding down, as Paul Rabil assisted Lawson in scoring his second goal of the game. After a missed shot by Denver, Rob Pannell was able to find space across the middle of the restraining box and score, lifting the team to 4-1. The Outlaws were able to strike back making the score 4-2 Lizards with a goal from Michael Bocklet. Wes Berg then was able to score quickly to make the game 4-3. With gratitude to Beast’s next faceoff win, Lawson was able to score his third goal of game, with help from Pannell. Rabil took a high and powerful shot, but was stopped by Ryan LaPlante. Midfielder Marasco was there to pick up the rebound and able to beat LaPlante with 3:35 left in the first quarter. However, the Outlaws decided to challenge Marasco’s goal, with suspicion that his foot was in the crease. Fortunately, the call was upheld and it was ruled a Lizards goal, making the score 6-3 and subtracting a timeout from Denver. Though allowing a late goal from Denver’s red-hot Drew Snider, the Lizards were able to end the quarter holding on to their 6-4 lead.
The second quarter began ideally with a faceoff win from Beast, and Rabil was able to stroll right up the line to score an unassisted two-pointer at 14:41. Thanks to a successful defensive play by Brian Spallina and a few good saves by Adams, the Lizards were able to hold the Outlaws off in their next rush. With a straight drive toward the net at just over the ten-minute mark, rookie Jacob Richard scored his first career MLL goal, unassisted. This was the rookie’s MLL debut, as the midfielder was activated Thursday following the end of the NCAA lacrosse season. The Lizards went man up with 6:47 left in the second quarter, thanks to a slash by Denver’s John Grant, Jr. After passing around the perimeter, rookie James Pannell assisted Rabil and was able to tally his second goal of the game making the score 11-4. Adams allowed another quick goal by Denver’s Snider, with the score briefly 11-5 until the hardworking and gritty Matt Gibson brought the score to 12-5 before the quarter came to a close.
The beginning of the third quarter seemed quiet, until Denver’s Wes Berg was able to attack and rally to make the score 12-6. More than midway through the third quarter, Pannell was able to capitalize on another of Beast’s faceoff wins and score. Though Denver’s Callum Crawford scored, that did not stop Tommy Palasek from making the score 14-7 Lizards with 6:42 remaining. Denver cut the lead once again with a good pass from Jeremy Sieverts to allow another goal from Michael Bocklet. The score was soon 14-9 with an additional goal from Law. Just when things started to seem grim, Ryan Walsh took a shot in front of the net to score his second goal of the season and extend New York’s lead to 15-9. The score quickly became 16-9 with another drive to the net by Marasco who fed Rabil, giving Walsh another opportunity to score. The Lizards were on fire late in the third, as a groundball from rookie Richard allowed Pannell to score again. However Pannell was still hungry, as he raised the score to 18-9. The third quarter came to a close with unassisted goals from a snipe from Lawson and a late scoring opportunity by Denver’s Snider. The quarter ended with a score of 19-10.
Though the fourth quarter began with a stunning save by Adams, Denver mounted a rally both Sieverts and Berg scored as the Lizards lead was cut to 19-12. After another goal from Snider, the score was stagnant at 19-13 for a while, until Marasco beat Denver backup goalie Austin Geisler with just under ten minutes remaining.
Two more Denver goals, from Berg and Grant Jr., still had them trailing 20-15 with eight minutes to go. Brian Spallina was called for a 30 second penalty for a hold allowing Grant Jr. to score yet again. The Outlaws won the faceoff and saw Crawford score again but still the scoreboard read 20-17 Lizards. Sieverts tallied another one, making the score even closer at 20-18. With under a minute left, the Outlaws went offside costing them 30 seconds and a man down. Lizards’ fans were on the edge of their seats as Rabil scored to ice the game with 12 seconds remaining. The Lizards were able hold off the Outlaws to come to a victory in this high-scoring game, with the final score at 21-18.
The Lizards will now travel to Fifth Third Bank Stadium for their next game on June 11th, versus the Atlanta Blaze at 7:00 p.m.
Tim Yilmaz, Beat Writer New York Lizards
Lacrosse is Awesome