Major League Lacrosse :      June 22, 2002 [ The Game Story]
Boston Cannons 13 Long Island Lizards 15 Scoring: Scoring: Michael Watson David Evans Mike Regan Mike Battista Paul Gait Brent Rothfuss Don Little David Jenkins Tom Glatzel Bill Edell (1, 3) (1, 2) (2, 1) (2, 0) (2, 0) (1, 0) (1, 0) (1, 0) (1, 0) (1, 0) Casey Powell Terry Riordan Aj Haugen Tim Goettelmann Matt O'kelly Greg Traynor Kevin Finneran Dan Martin (2, 2) (3, 0) (2, 1) (3, 0) (2, 0) (1, 1) (1, 0) (1, 0) Saves: Saves: Bill Daye 18  (0.545) Brian Carcaterra 12  (0.480) Current Record :     (2-1) Current Record :     (3-1) Team Page For 2002 Team Page For 2002       The Game Story:

Perhaps it was Casey Powell’s slow-Connor’s-fister following the 26th goal of the game – which had it all, from off-ball rough-housing to primadonna-esque tantrums - that best summed it up. Powell had a rough assignment for the day between the defenders, refs and adoring fans. The impending win was the kind of sweet justice the Lizards were looking for after suffering their first loss to the Cannons. With the kind of aggressive play from end-to-end, you just knew that it would come to a one-point match-up – most likely in favor of the begrudged team. Powell led an otherwise balanced attack with three goals and two assists. The Cannons came out on fire and gave some hope to the 5,617 fans on hand who braved the rain only to witness the homeopener heartbreaker. Ten different Cannons scored for Boston. Mike Battista and Paul Gait each had a deuce a piece.

The match-up between the defending MLL Champions Long Island Lizards (3-1) and the Boston Cannons (2-1) had all the makings of an old school Texas Western. The contest would feature the No. 1 offense, Long Island, against No. 2, Boston in what could only best be described as a straight up mud on your jersey show down. For the 5,617 spectators on hand, the price of admission was well worth it. Long Island entered the contest 2-1 with wins against Bridgeport (21-8 on June 2nd) and the Pride (18-12 on June 15th). The only irritating blemish for the Lizards on an otherwise impeccable schedule came from the hosting team Boston (15-6 on June 9th). Therefore, you could only imagine the "guess-who’s-coming to-dinner" attitude the visiting team would bring. Meanwhile, Boston has had an amazing turnaround season including exciting new acquisitions, altered field chemistry and a new coach at the helm. The Cannons went a modest 3-11 in the 2001 season. Despite the outcomes of the games, the local crowd has always been there to support their team – something very typical about the Boston sports fans’ genetics. Up until earlier this year, it wouldn’t have been a farfetched, mildly superstitious theory to say that by the transitive Curse of the Bambino properties, that Boston area teams had a high choke to win ratio. However, the Patriots forced a different conclusion but the lingering curse hovered over the Celtics, the Minutemen and (perhaps) the Sox? This year, the fans were rewarded with an early season undefeated record, a highly interactive environment including a circus of events for the kids and a half time show featuring the official dance team (to be distinguished from "cheerleaders") of the Cannons.

The balance sheet items of the game between the Lizards and the Cannons reveal a tight contest that was decided in the fourth. Boston and Long Island were tied through the third quarter – 3-3 (1st), 4-4 (2nd) and 3-3 (3rd). A.J Haugen (Hopkins 00’) scored the game winning goal for Long Island as the Lizards out shot the Cannons 4-2 in the 4th. Long Island committed seven penalties to Boston’s four. No. 3 ranked goalkeeper, standout Billy Daye (UNC 93’), had 18 saves on the day. Both teams were able to capitalize on EMO goals, but it was simple execution that decided the match in the final minutes. Boston had several opportunities on goal to tie the game but turned over the ball. After Boston Head Coach (1st year), Scott Hiller (UMASS 90’) called for a timeout with :12 seconds remaining and possession, Boston needed a two-pointer but they were stripped of the ball.

At the start of the first period, Boston gained possession of the face-off and brought the ball behind. Boston turned over the ball with an overthrow. Long Island’s Casey Powell (Syracuse 98) went hard to goal on the keeper’s right side and the defense forced a nearly flat behind the back shot/pass(?) from Powell. Cannons’ David Evans (Brown 96’) lit up the boards with the first goal of the game at 12:07. Michael Watson (Virginia 97’) fed Evans who was cutting in from up high right fired a low roller (1-0). Watson scored the next goal of the game as he drove in on the keeper’s right side and unleashed a zero angle behind the back shot that dropped at the seam of upper left 90 (2-0). Watson would later have two back-to-Virginia all about the dive style goals, which had the crowd ooh-ing, but the referees denied them. Long Island finally responded with an inside roll goal from Tim Goettelmann (Loyola 00’) who took his defender for a ride along the crease from behind (1-2). Boston gained possession of the face-off and it took nearly six minutes before the next goal. The teams traded possession with several off-pipe misses. Boston keyed up in a 1-4-1. Watson held onto the ball from behind and the LI defense misread the play for an ISO when Watson found fellow Cavalier alum David Jenkins (Virginia 01’) on the crease. Jenkins finished with a soft touch nutmeg bouncer (3-1). Long Island gained possession of the face-off and Powell overthrew the pass behind. Boston defender Ryan Curtis (Virginia 00’) was called for slashing. The Lizards converted on the EMO with a goal from Powell. LI swung it up top to Powell who unleashed the nastiest back-foot-curler crank that got by the less than five inches exposed between Daye’s left shoulder and pipe (2-3). Dan Martin (Georgetown 98’) wrapped up the first quarter scoring action as he beat the defense from up top and got the bouncing equalizer between Daye’s stems (3-3).

The second quarter started with a no-lip overthrow from the Lizards’ A.J. Haugen. LI maintained possession and shifted from a 1-4-1, 1-3-2 to finally a 2-2-2 when Powell found Kevin Finneran (OWU 89’) on the crease. The no-look cross crease pass quick stick finish elevated the Lizards lead by one (4-3). Boston leveled the playing field with a 2-pointer from none other than the resident 2-point specialist Mike Regan (Butler 00’). Regan shot from the hip from center up top using Lizard Eric Wedin (JHU 01’) as his screen (5-4). Paul Gait (Syracuse 00’) scored on textbook fast break. Gait whose final game appearance could have been last night, will now head off to the World Cup. The series started with a split save from Daye and Watson hit Gait who finished with a high-low shot (6-4). The Lizards responded with two goals of their own from Terry Riordan (JHU 95’) and former Cannons player Greg Traynor (Virginia 95’) who was assisted by Powell. Riordan used his 225-lb. frame to fire one past Boston from up top. Dave Jenkins was giving Powell a facial as he tried to work the crease and the double. Powell dished off the pass to Traynor who was parked on the crease for a hip-high shot (6-6). Boston’s Bill Edell (Umass 93’) scored on an open goal as Carcaterra (JHU 00’) was slow to recover from a previous sideline entanglement near the thirty off a clear (7-6). Goettelmann evened out the score and wrapped up the scoring for the 2nd period off an assist from Traynor. The ball was up top and Goettelmann was inside. He then took Daye high and low for a shot (7-7).

Boston came out of the gates strong at the top of the 3rd quarter scoring the first two goals. Hometown boy Mike Battista (Loyola 00’) took it to the hole for back-to-back unassisted goals. The Cannons were lined up in a 2-2-2 and Battista fired away and tacked the mesh right shoulder (8-7). His second EMO goal was a bouncer that lower 90 (9-7). LI again responded with two goals of their own both from Matt O’Kelly (JHU 99’). Goettelmann tried to roll the crease from behind and the defense forced a weak pass but O’Kelly snagged the scrappy pass for a low sweeper (8-9). O’Kelly scored again off an assist from Haugen. He cut hard from up high and the defense was late on the slides therefore O’Kelly had a Moses shot as he took Daye on a bouncer (9-9). Boston scored again by two, which was followed up by a pair from LI. Cannons’ Don Little (Umass 02’) scored as he was coming down right side on a lefty-hop-shot that hit lower left corner (10-9). Watson followed with a flying dive (perhaps he was paying homage to Gait) but he was called for a crease violation. Tom Glatzel (ND 01’) scored off an assist from Evans. Glatzel was parked on the crease for a low sweeper (11-9). Third quarter action finished up with a deuce from Long Island. Dave Evans was making nice-nice with Powell while the refs were watching the ball and gave the visitor an overly affectionate and unsolicited tap. Riordan soon scored from right side up high on a hip-high right side shot (10-11). Goettelmann scored from right side high with a shot that cleared Daye’s left hip (11-11).

Long Island was first to break the scoring seal at the top of the 4th period. A.J. Haugen scored unassisted on a low bouncer that hit top right corner (12-11). Veteran Paul Gait equalized with a low sweeper for (12-12). Powell lined up and cranked the shot top 90. Daye was left in a split, which is a credit to Powell whose shot selection is so unpredictable and that with even a dip of a shoulder you don’t know if he’s going low or high. Haugen beat his defense and scored on a right side hip-high shot (14-12). Boston would score their last goal of the game from Brent Rothfuss (Nazareth 97’) off an assist from Regan. Rothfuss dodged several defenders down low and finish with a high left shot (13-14). Boston would have several more attempts on goal including a reverse-stick flying-dive from Don Little as he charged the left side lip of the crease. LI nailed the win with a goal from Riordan as he stuck it in the top left corner (15-13). Final score Long Island 15 Boston 13.

With Bridgeport’s 15-12 win over Baltimore last night, the signs of league competition are promising. Baltimore, Boston and LI each have dropped one game. The title is up for grabs. LI will face off against Bridgeport on Friday, June 28 at 7:30 p.m. at Harbor Yard. Boston will face Rochester this Saturday, June 29 at Cawley Memorial Stadium at 7:00 p.m.