MLL New York Lizards

Long Island Lizards open 2003 season in Baltimore

Published on May 28, 2003 under Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
New York Lizards News Release


The Long Island Lizards begin the 2003 Major League Lacrosse season on Saturday when they take on the Baltimore Bayhawks, at Homewood Field on the campus of Johns Hopkins University. Long Island and Baltimore met in both the 2001 and 2002 Championship Games, with the Lizards prevailing in 2001 and Baltimore triumphing in 2002. Faceoff is slated for 7:30 PM.

After the departure of Casey Powell, a new cast leads the Lizards well-balanced offense into Baltimore, including Jay Jalbert (34 goals, 9 assists with NJ in 2002), Chris Massey (14 goals, 14 assists with NJ in 2002), and Kevin Lowe (First season of MLL after World Championship with Team USA). Returning on the Lizards attack include Tim Goettelmann (28 goals, 11 assists in 2002), AJ Haugen (22 goals, 14 assists in 2002), and Greg McCavera (22 goals, 7 assists in 2002).

Team Captain Pat McCabe, John Gagliardi, and Brian Voelker lead the much-improved Lizards defense. Voelker was Head Coach of the Bayhawks in 2001, but returned to the field as a player in 2002 with the Boston Cannons. The Lizards acquired Voelker in an offseason trade. Brian Dougherty is expected to start in goal for Long Island (League-best 12.00 goals-against average in 2002 with Rochester).

Baltimore is led by Player/Coach/Lacrosse legend Gary Gait. Gait helped the Lizards to the 2001 final before being traded to the Bayhawks in 2002. Offensively, the Bayhawks are led by Gait (25 goals, 6 assists in 2002), Mark Millon (44 goals, 19 assists in 2002), and Tom Marachek (29 goals, 11 assists in 2002). Brian Reese, Hugh Donovan, and Shawn Nadelen lead the Bayhawks defense, while 2002 League MVP Greg Cattrano returns between the pipes.

Chris Cercy (LI) and Jamie Hanford (BAL) will battle in the faceoff circle.

The all-time series is tied 3-3, with Baltimore sweeping the two games in 2001 but falling the final, and Long Island sweeping the series in 2002 before losing the Championship Game. Both teams have won their respective division titles in both seasons as well.

Saturday's game is the first of three regular season meetings between Long Island and Baltimore. The two teams meet again at Homewood Field (Sat, June 21) and in the season finale at Mitchel Athletic Complex (Sun, August 17).

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Major League Lacrosse Stories from May 28, 2003


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