January 10, 2005

New York, NY (January 10, 2005) - The Long Island Lizards of Major League Lacrosse (MLL), the premiere professional outdoor lacrosse league, announced they have acquired MLL Warrior Defensive Player of the Year Nick Polanco, MLL Warrior Offensive Player of the Year Blake Miller and midfielder Ryan Moran from the Philadelphia Barrage. In exchange, the Lizards sent Kevin Finneran, Damien Davis, Andrew Wasik and a first round and second round selection in the 2005 MLL Collegiate Draft to the Barrage.

"As an organization we felt we had no choice but to make this trade," said Jim Mule, Long Island Lizards Head Coach. "We are giving up a lot, but when you can add the reigning Defensive and Offensive Players of the Year to your squad you have to do it. Plus, the fact they are Long Island guys with deep lacrosse roots in the area was important as they can be out in the community representing the Lizards and drumming up support."

Polanco arrives in Long Island following three seasons with the Barrage organization, two in Bridgeport and one in Philadelphia. In 28 games with the Barrage, Polanco tallied 5 points and 104 ground balls, including 97 over just the past two years. Polanco, typically given the duty of shutting down the opposing team's strongest offensive threat, was named MLL Warrior Defensive Player of the Year in 2004. A native and resident of Oceanside, NY, Polanco was a 2002 World Team member and is a 2002 graduate of Hofstra University.

Miller has been with the Barrage since the team's inception in 2001, having started 35 of 47 games played. A key contributor to the Barrage's MLL Championship run, Miller enjoyed a breakout year in 2004. After amassing 28 points on 24 goals and 4 assists for the Barrage in 2003, Miller exploded with 57 points in 2004 on 46 goals and 11 assists. A native and resident of Manhasset, NY, Miller also attended Hofstra University, graduating in 1996.

Originally drafted by the Baltimore Bayhawks with their third pick, 18th overall, in the 2003 collegiate draft, Moran was a Third Team All-American and First Team All-ACC selection as a midfielder at the University of Maryland his senior year. Moran was a regular contributor last season with the Barrage, seeing action in 11 games, while starting two, and picking up three goals. A native of Setauket, NY, Moran currently resides in Newport, RI where he is the head lacrosse coach at the Naval Academy Preparatory School.

Lizards 2005 tickets are available now, with single-game ticket prices as low as $11. For more information, contact the Lizards ticket office at 1-866-LIZARD-1.