Al Giscombe, Beat Writer Atlanta Blaze
Lacrosse is Awesome
On Saturday May 13, the Atlanta Blaze (1-2) welcomed Paul Rabil (MLL player of the game) and the New York Lizards (2-1) to the Fire Pit. The Lizards scored first and never looked back winning 14-12 over the Atlanta Blaze.
New York didn’t waste any time in scoring as Matt Gibson and Rabil scored a goal apiece within the first minute of the game. The Blaze countered with goals from Terry Kimener and Chris Bocklet but Rabil would take full advantage of the southern hospitality as he scored five goals (including a two pointer) in the first half. Joe Walters and Chris Dickson would add goals for the New York Squad. Dyan Donahue added a goal for the Blaze to end the half: Lizards 9—Blaze 3.
The Blaze committed two penalties and gave up two man-down goals in the first quarter, this margin would hold throughout the game.
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In the second half the Blaze reignited and scored the first two goals of the half with goals from Kimener and James Pannell (2G-2A). The Blaze have loads of talent and can compete with the best teams in the league and it showed in the second half as the team cut into the lead the Lizards built in the first half.
The Blaze transition game was incredible as they moved the ball and found the open man several times. The Blaze failed to score on two man-up situations which would have helped the cause, in a two goal loss.
Jeff Reynolds scored and J. Pannell scored his second goal of the third quarter. Curtis Dickson and Matt Gibson each added a goal for the Lizards to end the third quarter: New York 12—Atlanta 7.
The Blaze were on fire in the fourth quarter scoring the first three goals of the frame further narrowing the lead with the score still in favor of New York 12-10. The Lizards veterans were able to keep composed and find the open man. Tommy Palasek and Rob Pannell (1 G-3A) picked up the scoring in the fourth quarter for New York.
Throughout the game New York took advantage of four penalty (man-up) opportunities scoring three goals and not allowing Atlanta to score on two penalty situations. New York has a high charged offense and this game would have been a total blow out without the tenacious defense from John Yozzo-Scaperrotta; Scott Ratliff; Callum Robinson; and Adam Ghitelman.
Next up, Atlanta (1-2) heads to Navy-Marine Corps Stadium to face the Chesapeake Bayhawks (2-1) on Friday May 18. New York (1-1) will be back on the road, this time heading to Harvard Stadium to face the Boston Cannons (1-2) on Saturday May 19, 2017.
AL Giscombe, Beat Writer Atlanta Blaze
Lacrosse is Awesome