Titans And Wings Battle In Pre-Season Thriller
December 8, 2008 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Orlando Titans News Release
New York - December 8, 2008 -- The New York Titans professional indoor lacrosse team battled it out with the Philadelphia Wings over the weekend in a down to the buzzer pre-season contest at the Center Circle in Rahway, NJ. The Titans displayed a balanced attack with scoring from the impressive rookie Marc Burton with his three goals and veterans Jordan Hall, Mike McLellan, and former Wing Jamie Rooney each adding two goals. Veterans Pat Merrill and Pat Maddalena each added a goal to complete the Titans scoring.
The Titans flexed their pre-season form early in the first quarter taking a 4 to 3 lead as the horn sounded to end the quarter. At half time, the Titans appeared to be on their way to a promising pre-season victory. However, in the third quarter Philly's usually strong defense woke up and put the clamps on the Titans offense, holding them scoreless and firing off four consecutive goals of their own to take a 10-6 lead at the end of three.
Late in the fourth quarter Wings goalie Blasdell incurred a five minute penalty, which put rookie goal tender Mickey Hover between the pipes and re-energized the Titans offense. Sensing the opportunity, the Titans battled back to score two quick goals of their own. With less than a minute to play in the fourth and the score Wings 12 and the Titans 11, new Titans head coach Ed Comeau pulled goalie Angus Dineley and with just two seconds left on the clock the Titans gave up an empty-netter to the Wings Talyor Wray.
Titans goalie Matt Vinc was impressive between the pipes in the first half and Erik Miller, Kurtis Wagar and Angus Dineley all played ten minute shifts in the second half of this pre-season thriller.
"It was more or less a dream come true," said rookie Marc Burton. "I have been watching some of these guys the last couple of years playing college and back home indoors when I played for the Brooklyn Merchants. It is a relief to get the first one under your belt, but it is not the result we wanted as a team. However, we know what we need to work on to excel this year."
"I was pleased with everything, we played athletic, did a lot of good things, ran the floor and had some good defense," said Titans head coach Ed Comeau. "But, we had some breakdowns and that is expected this time of the year. Again, we had a lot of good positives and some things we are going to work on correcting over the next month."
About the New York Titans
The New York Titans began indoor professional lacrosse play in 2007 as one of 13 franchises in the National Lacrosse League (NLL). The NLL is North America's professional indoor lacrosse league and features the best players in the world. The Titans finished the 2008 season with a 10-6 record, tied for best in the league, and reaching the playoffs for the first time in franchise history! After advancing to the second round last season, one game away from the title, The Titans are determined to bring the Champion's Cup to New York in 2009. The Titans' principal owner is Gary Rosenbach, founder of Galleon Group a world renowned hedge fund. The ownership group also includes, Leo Russell, Flip Huffard. Nick Leone, Richard Ullmann,Bill Ford, Robert Gagliardi and John Gagliardi. For more information, please see: www.nytitans.com.
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National Lacrosse League Stories from December 8, 2008
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- Sims Announces Retirement From Colorado Mammoth - Colorado Mammoth
- Titans And Wings Battle In Pre-Season Thriller - Orlando Titans
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