Panetta Joins Saints Staff
October 3, 2002 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
New York Saints News Release
(Bohemia, NY)... The New York Saints have added eleven-year NLL veteran Matt Panetta to the New York Coaching Staff for the 2002-03 NLL season. The announcement, made earlier today by Saints' General Manager Michael Gongas, follows the appointment of Pat McCabe to the Head Coaching position only two weeks prior. Panetta and McCabe played together for the Saints from 1993 through the 2000-01 NLL season.
Matt is a Long Island native whose playing career with McCabe pre-dates their Elmont High School years. Panetta played his college lacrosse at Johns Hopkins University where he was a three-time All-American. Matt was a third-round selection of the Philadelphia Wings in the 1992 MILL Entry Draft where he spent his rookie season before heading home to Long Island.
"This is a great organization to be a part of. I played here for nine years and this is where my family is, I'm real excited about this opportunity," said Panetta. "I believe the team has made some outstanding moves this off-season and I'm anxious to work with all of the young talent on this roster. Long Island is a great place to play and I have high expectations for this year's squad."
Panetta played nine seasons with the Saints from 1993-2001 sandwiched between his rookie campaign in 1992 with Philadelphia and last season, which he spent with the New Jersey Storm. He has made four career appearances in the post-season including in 1997 with the New York Saints, the last Saints' team to qualify for the playoffs. Matt ranks second All-Time for the Saints in Goals (118), Shots On Goal (469) and Penalty Minutes (129). He currently ranks fourth on the Saints' All-Time Leaders lists in Games Played (80), Assists (94), Points (174) and Loose Balls (309).
"Matt is an all-around great guy. He is a proven leader and he knows what it takes to be successful in this league," said Saints' General Manger Michael Gongas. "He knows the indoor game extremely well and he will be of immeasurable help to the young guys on our roster."
National Lacrosse League Stories from October 3, 2002
- Panetta Joins Saints Staff - New York Saints
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