The New York Lizards this season were one of top teams in the MLL. They made the playoffs as the second seed, were second in goals against, were tied for the best home record in the league, the best penalty kill, had the number two point getter in the MLL in Rob Pannell, and had one of the top goalies in the league this season. The Lizards accomplished all but making the MLL Championship.
The Lizards were one of the worst teams in the MLL last season, that is something no one can deny. This season though the Lizards took control of their own destiny right from the get go. They finished second in the league falling only one game back of the Rochester Rattlers. This set up for an away playoff game against the Denver Outlaws at Denver University. Unfortunately for the Lizards lost a close game 13-14.
The Lizards were lead by one of most well known lacrosse names in the world, Rob Pannell. Pannell finished the season 56 points (33 G, 23 A) in 13 games. Pannell led the team in goals, assists and points along with not registering any penalty minutes. New York was also lead by the man called “The Beast,” Greg Gurenlian. Gurenlian led the team in ground balls with 101 and in all aspects of the face offs. Gurenlian also set another top five single season face off win percentage with a wins percentage of 61 percent, which will be his second best percentage of his career but also the third straight year he has had a face off wins percentage above 60 percent.
Between the pipes the Lizards were anchored by Drew Adams, who spent most of the season falling into that second best goalie slot behind Rochester’s John Galloway. Adams held a goals against average of 11.67, which was only half a goal behind Galloway. Adams also was the focal point of a league leading penalty kill unit, that lead the league with a penalty kill percentage of 79.49 percent.
The Lizards were one of the top teams this season and with a few tweaks to the team they should be a power to be reckoned with in the years to come. Their youth movement of a last few seasons is now coming to fruition and it is an outstanding thing to see.
