As was expected, JoJo Marasco and Rob Pannell looked as good on the field as they usually do. Unexpectedly, Israel performed extremely sub-par.
The Lizards ran up the score to a final of 21-3. I equate this game to a previous one I watched this NCAA season: Lehigh versus Loyola.
Both teams are very good, but the Lizards and Loyola are much higher caliber lacrosse programs than either Israel or Lehigh.
Israel had two previously Cannons players on their roster, along with numerous players coming from Division I, II, and III programs. Their goalie had played at Bucknell, and other athletes came from schools such as Penn, PSU and Boston College.
However, NY Lizards players are top-notch lacrosse athletes with histories of playing on the best of Division I teams. Not to mention many Lizards team members are dually placed on the Team USA roster.
The Lizards controlled the ball for the majority of the game. They put high amounts of pressure on Israel’s defense and made their goalie have to work for his saves.
New York scored their first goal less than three minutes into the game, whereas Israel did not see the back of the cage until midway through the second quarter.
Communication was great amongst both teams, and Israel hung in the game to compete. NY goaltenders from Penn State and UNC split halves for playing time. Israel also had two goalies split time. Approximately halfway through the final period, New York pulled their big name starters and allowed for lighter pressure on the young Israel team.
There isn’t much more to say as the Lizards dominated. An easy, motivational win for New York and a brutal practice for Israel. If this was any precursor to the FIL Denver Championships for international teams, then Team USA and Canada will have large upper hands against their opponents on multiple levels: strength/conditioning, knowledge, experience, etc.
On another note, the crowd at the scrimmage was significantly larger than at the morning training camp practice. Most of the spectators were in support of Team Israel, interestingly.
