Titans Find A Home
January 10, 2010 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Orlando Titans News Release
ORLANDO, Fl (Jan. 10) -- In the 1939 film classic the Wizard of Oz, Glinda the Good Witch instructs Dorothy Gale to close her eyes and tap her shoes while repeating the statement "there's no place like homethere's no place like homethere's no place like home." Less than 24 hours after playing their first game at Amway Arena, goalie Matt Vinc, his Titans teammates, coaches and front office personnel are in total agreement with Dorothy and the Good Witch of the North there is no place like home.
More than 8,000 fans jammed the lower bowl of Amway on Friday night as a Florida-based team hosted a game in the Sunshine State. The game was a rousing success on the field with a 13-8 win over the Philadelphia Wings, but it was the atmosphere in the arena that had practically every player, coach and even team owner Gary Rosenbach singing the praises of Orlando.
"The night could not have been any better," an elated Rosenbach said in the Titans dressing room. "The guys played an outstanding game, but it was the crowd that impressed me the most. The fans really got into it, they were on their feet almost the entire game and I think they got to see what indoor lacrosse is all about. It's certainly something we want to build on."
But for as happy as ownership was with the opener, it was players that appreciate the support - almost to the point of being overwhelmed by that support.
"The fans were really incredible tonight," Vinc said. "The last couple of years has been almost like playing every game on the road. We never felt a home field advantage. Tonight was something special and hopefully we can build on it and make this the toughest venue in the league to play in."
"The guys have been talking about the wonderful support all day long," team Captain Casey Powell said on Saturday. "The atmosphere last night was really incredible and I think it really energized our team. We didn't get off to a great start in the game, but once we put together those back-to-back goals in the second period the crowd really started to get into it and that just really served to energize us."
Veteran forward Ryan Boyle said that it was hard to believe that majority of fans at the game were watching indoor lacrosse for the first time. "I really couldn't believe it was their first game," Boyle said. "It sounded by the cheering and stuff they knew exactly what they were doing. They were really into it even though we didn't get off to a great start, they kept pumping us upit was impressive."
To understand why the players were so excited, you have to look at the history of the Titans. The team played the last three years in New York, where Madison Square Garden was listed as its home venue. But difficulty in scheduling arena dates at that venue resulted in the team never playing a complete home schedule at the Garden.
Last season-- despite winning the Eastern Conference with a 10-6 record--the team had to play its eight home games in four different venues and could never develop a following.
"Even when we had a decent crowd, it never felt like we had a home," Boyle said. "Tonight, it felt like we finally felt what home field advantage is all about."
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National Lacrosse League Stories from January 10, 2010
- Roughnecks Down Swarm 12-7 In Home Opener - Calgary Roughnecks
- Titans Find A Home - Orlando Titans
- Washington Stealth Win 17-8 In Season Opener - Washington Stealth
- Mammoth Drops Season Opener In Washington - Colorado Mammoth
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