Tim Yilmaz Beat Writer New York Lizards
Lacrosse is Awesome
The Lizards welcomed the Boston Cannons to James M. Shuart Stadium on Saturday June 18th. Both teams were eager to continue their rivalry. New York would defuse the Cannons by the score of 13-12 in overtime and improved to a league leading 6-1 record.
Both teams came out fast and physical to start the game. The Lizards struck first when Paul Rabil found the back of the net with a nice move giving New York a 1-0 advantage. Boston answered right back with three goals of their own on their next two possessions. Cannons midfielder Justin Turri netted his 10th goal of the season and Brent Adams also found the back of the net from the two-point line, steaming one past Drew Adams. Paul Rabil then willed his way to the middle of the restraining box and blasted a shot past Boston’s goalie, Tyler Fiorito, making the score 2-3 in the latter minutes of the first quarter.
The Lizards would not score again until the 12:23 mark of the second quarter when Rabil assisted Cody Jameison for his third goal of the season, tying the game at three. The Cannons responded by scoring three straight goals to take a commanding 6-3 lead at the midway point of the second quarter. Boston’s defense would hold the Lizards scoreless until the final two minutes of the half as Rob Pannell found Matt Gibson, which cut the Cannons lead to two. New York trailed Boston 6-4 at the half.
Both teams started the third quarter with an extra step in their stride and exchanged several goals but Boston would retain a 7-6 lead. Rabil continued his stellar performance against his former team, scoring his third goal of the game on a laser from inside the two-point arc. Rabil also was given an assist on Gibson’s second goal of the game later in the quarter.
New York continued to scrap, and on their next possession they tied the game at seven as Rabil fed Dave Lawson on a man-up opportunity. However, the Cannons were able to go on a run of their own, finding the back of net four times taking an 11-7 lead! Boston was dominating.
Midway through the fourth quarter then Lizards woke up and scored 3 straight to pull within one. Boston answered going up 12-10 with less than three minutes to play. The Lizards fought back scoring the last two goals, tying the game at twelve.
Both teams had chances to win it in last thirty seconds of play. Boston rookie Kyle Ballestri hit the pipe and Steve Holmes was able to clear the ball at the end of regulation time the score was knotted at 12 apiece.
Boston had the ball first in overtime but Drew Adams made a big save to give the Lizards a chance to win it. Then, Dave Lawson was able to play hero for the second week in row in overtime as he found the back of the net from a feed by Rob Pannell and the Lizards pulled through with a hard fought win 13-12.
The game was very exciting as both teams fought hard until the final whistle. Both Rabil and Lawson had tremendous nights. Rabil recorded five goals and had three assists against his former team. Lawson, named Coca-Cola player of the game, tallied four goals and had the game-winning goal for the second week in a row.
The Lizards hit the road the next two weeks as they take on Denver and Chesapeake. That will take them into the All Star break. The Lizards return home to face the Florida Launch on July 14th.
Tim Yilmaz, Beat Writer New York Lizards
Lacrosse is Awesome