Tim Yilmaz, Beat Writer New York Lizards
Lacrosse is Awesome
After slipping into an uncharacteristic three-game losing streak, the New York Lizards (7-4) looked to get back on track against the Rochester Rattlers (6-5), and they did just that. Final Score: Lizards 16—Rattlers 15.
Shortly after the opening faceoff win, Matt Gibson found some room in front of the net giving New York a 1-0 advantage. Dave Lawson followed suit on the next possession, extending New York’s lead to two. However, the Rattlers answered right back with a goal from midfielder John Ranagan. JoJo Marasco netted his first goal of the game thanks to some nifty moves. Ranagan also found the back of the net again, beating Lizards goalie Drew Adams topside, for his second goal of the game. The Lizards stormed back with two straight goals from Rabil and Gibson, extending their lead to 5-2 at the end of the first quarter.
The Lizards dominated in the second quarter, with five goals on several great offensive plays. However it was Adams who stole the show making nine stops in the second quarter. Adams finished with 13 first half saves allowing his teammates to extend their lead to 10-6 at the half.
Marasco got the party started in the third; followed by Rabil ripping a two-point shot past John Galloway giving the Lizards a 13-6 lead. Then the tide started to shift. Rochester responded with three straight goals, one from Ned Crotty; and two from Jeremy Boltus, who accumulated his third goal of the contest. Despite the run, the Lizards led the Rattlers 13-9 heading into the final quarter of play.
The Rattlers continued to have their way with the Lizards in the final quarter of play. After Steve DeNapoli was called for an illegal stick penalty to start the fourth, the Rattlers pumped in two man-up goals cutting into the Lizards lead. Dave Lawson ended Rochester’s run by scoring his second goal of the game making it 14-11. However, with just over eight minutes remaining the Rattlers responded with a vengeance, scoring four straight goals and taking a 15-14 lead with just over two minutes remaining. Pannell tied the game up at 15 with 1:28 left. The Rattlers had two chances to win it in regulation but the defense and Drew Adams stood tall. Score at the end of regulation: Lizards 15—Rattlers 15. We had bonus lacrosse.
After both teams came away empty with their first possessions in OT, Rabil was able to find the net to end it from a beautiful feed from Rob Pannell. The Lizards came away with a hard fought 16-15 overtime victory against a very good Rattlers team.
The game was very exciting as both teams fought until the final whistle; nevertheless Rabil; Gibson; and Pannell had tremendous nights. Both Gibson and Pannell collected three goals apiece; and Rabil collected five goals and one assist. Drew Adams had a stellar night with a 21 save performance, by far his best game of the season; and Kyle Sweeney made his Lizards debut after his mid-week signing and played well.
The Lizards will return home and look to even the season series with the first place Chesapeake Bayhawks (8-4) on July 28th game time is at 7:30 p.m. EDT
Tim Yilmaz, Beat writer New York Lizards
Lacrosse Is Awesome