Long Island Lizards Season in Review

9/1/10 4:45 PM

By Derek McLean

The 2010 Long Island Lizards season was made up of two very distinct halves. The team lost 5 of their first 7 games before going on a winning streak that carried them all the way to the Major League Lacrosse Championship game.

“Starting at training camp we really held ourselves to high expectations,” says Lizards midfielder Stephen Berger. “I expected us to make the playoffs I expected us to make the Championship game and I expected us to really become a core group a core unit by the end of August,”

One reason for the optimism was the fact that the team returned many of the key ingredients from a playoff team the year before. Matt Danowski and Zack Greer returned at attack along with Stephen Berger and Stephen Peyser at midfield, and the defense would again be anchored by veterans Nicky Polanco and Brian Spallina. The biggest change would be in goal where 2^nd year player Drew Adams would step into the starting role following the retirement of MLL legend Brian Dougherty.

The Lizards’ early season struggles were due in part to a rash of injuries. Keith Cromwell who is considered a vital part of the Lizards offense missed over half the season. The loss was felt by the other players on the offense.

“Cromwell is a one of a kind,” says Berger. “I would not trade that guy for the world. He is very smart, he’s a veteran, and he knows what to do with the ball when he’s got it.”

Head Coach Jim Mule’s offense relies heavily on transition. Early in the season the Lizards lost their best two transition long poles to injuries. John Orsen and Ricky Pages both missed a majority of the first half of the season. Unable to get into their offense, the Lizards scored a league low 10.7 goals per game the first 7 weeks.

Things began to turn around in week five when the Lizards defeated Chicago in overtime in a game played in driving rain in Albany, New York. Ten-year veteran Tim Goettelmann scored the game-tying goal with 11 seconds remaining in regulation and then won the game with a goal in overtime.

The team would lose two more games and fall to 2-5 through the first seven weeks of the season. The Lizards suddenly found themselves on the verge of being eliminated from playoff contention. But they were beginning to get healthy and as players came back the team chemistry was improving.

“We started to enjoy playing with each other. The road trips became more fun, guys started to hang out more, guys started to get looser with one another,” says Berger. “It got to a point where we all started to click together as a unit. We really started to work as one and put all of the egos aside. Checked them at the door and started to play like we should.”

“We all loved each other,” says Tim Goettelmann. “We had a great time playing this summer and wins always help chemistry.”

In week eight they hosted Chicago and found themselves trailing 11-7 early in the fourth quarter. But the Lizards went on a five point run keyed by Zack Greer and would win the game in overtime.

The next week the Lizards again played Chicago, this time in Columbus, Ohio. Matt Danowski scored an MLL record 3 2-pointers in the game, including the game-winner to give the Lizards back-to-back wins for the first time in 2010. They would not lose again in the regular season, winning their final 5 games and qualifying for the playoffs as the number three seed.

“I think it started from our defensive end, out to our transition, and into our offensive end,” says Berger. “Our defense really stepped it up starting on that first win. Drew Adams was phenomenal in the cage. Getting Ricky Pages and John Orsen back in the lineup, it was a domino effect into our offensive end.”

In the second to last game of the season, Tim Goettelmann broke the record for most goals scored in a career. His record setting goal came late in the fourth quarter, which was his 248^th, passing Jessie Hubbard. The game was played in his home town of Long Island in front of his friends and family.

“I’ll always remember that,” says Goettelmann. “That was a great night. My family was there. I’ve been fortunate to stay on the team and be a captain. That night breaking the record is pretty awesome.”

The Lizards ended the regular season as the hottest team in the league and as a legit contender to win the coveted Steinfeld Cup.

The Lizards first round matchup was against their biggest nemesis the Denver Outlaws a team they had never beaten in seven previous meetings, but this one would be different, it was the post-season.

“Head coach Jim Mule said it the best in the locker room before we went out there,” says Hilpert. “I’ll trade all 7 of those losses if we can get this one.”

The game started fast, as each team continuously exchanged goals through the first half, with the score tied at 9-9. The first 30 minutes was physical and heated. The Lizards and Outlaws received a combined 19.5 penalty minutes.

“It’s ranked up there in the top 3 most competitive and intense games I have played in,” says Berger. “There was a lot riding on it, but we didn’t think it was going to be an easy task.”

The second half was a different story. The physical play slowed down and the Lizards dominating defense showed its true colors. The Outlaws were only able to score 3 goals the entire half, while the Lizards continued their hot shooting, scoring 7. The Lizards defeated the Outlaws for the first time ever 16-12.

“That was a good win,” says Goettelmann. “That was definitely one of the best wins of the season. We’re 1 and 7 now, but that one was definitely the most important one.”

“It was a relief to get the goose egg off our back,” says Berger. “We knew that it was going to be a tough game all around. But we really took that personally and we knew that if we were going to get our ultimate goal of winning a championship than we really needed to step up our game.”

With the win the Lizards earned the right to play the Chesapeake Bayhawks in the Championship less than 24 hours later.

Defense ruled the game from the start. After the first half both teams were deadlocked scoring just 4 goals apiece. Drew Adams and Bayhawks goalie Chris Garrity were brick walls and neither team could figure out each other’s defense.

“Chris Garrity I think is the best goalie in the league. Drew Adams is a close second,” says Geottelmann. “He should have gotten goalie of the year. He was making saves and he deserved it. He did a great job in the finals.”

Both teams continued to exchange goals and sound defense in the third quarter as well. The game was tied at 9 heading into the fourth. Neither team was able to separate themselves by more than 2 goals at any point.

“The Championship game was tough,” says Berger. “To come back after a grueling game against Denver, try to get off your feet, try to get a meal in you, try to get hydrated again, and to mentally prepare for another battle the next day, it was tough. We knew it was going to be hot and we knew it was not going to be easy to play Chesapeake.”

“A lot of people counted us out when we were 2-5,” says Hilpert. “To be 15 minutes away from a Championship is something to be proud of and we need to hold our heads up high.”

But it is said that lacrosse is a game of runs. The Bayhawks went on a 4 goal run to start the fourth quarter. The Lizards were never able to respond. After being deadlocked through the first three quarters the Bayhawks outscored the Lizards 5-1 in the fourth and won by a score of 13-9.

“I’m disappointed with the Championship loss, but overall I’m really happy and proud of the team I played on this summer,” says Berger. “From where we were early on and where people predicted us, to win 6 straight games in a row is pretty impressive. I couldn’t have asked for a better squad to play with.”

“We definitely fell short of our goals,” says Goettelmann. “I don’t think a season is successful unless you win the Championship. I really honestly believe that. You can look back and say some positive things that went on, but it wasn’t a completely successful season without a Championship.”