Defending MLL Champion Bayhawks Should be Tested by Revamped New York
Perhaps the hottest topic among Major League Lacrosse followers, besides the Bayhawks 2012 MLL championship, has been the offseason makeover of the New York Lizards. In a cover story of its most recent issue, Lacrosse Magazine reviewed all the moves made by head coach Joe Spallina, who was dubbed “New York Wizard” in the title.
Spallina traded for attackman Mark Matthews, offensive midfielder Stephen Berger and long stick defensive midfielder Steven Waldeck while also making a myriad of other roster changes. In his season preview, MLL analyst Evan Washburn called New York the second-best team in the league. The Lizards, “from a talent perspective, are the only team that comes close to the Bayhawks.”
Fans and media will get an early read on whether New York is a legitimate contender for the Steinfeld Trophy on Saturday night when the team travels to Annapolis to take on Chesapeake at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Count Dave Cottle, president and head coach of the Bayhawks, as one of those people impressed by New York’s personnel improvement.
“I thought the moves they made strengthened the areas they wanted to address,” Cottle said. “They added size, strength and depth in the midfield.”
New York already had a solid nucleus to build on as Drew Adams is a two-time MLL Goaltender of the Year last season while Greg Gurenlian is generally regarded as the league’s top face-off specialist. Other key returning players for the Lizards include 2012 Cascade Rookie of the Year Matt Gibson, midfielder Stephen Peyser and attackman Tom Palasek.
Chesapeake got off to a successful start, defeating Rochester, 17-14, in Jacksonville (Fla.) behind a combined 13 points from midfielders Kyle Dixon and Ben Hunt. Dixon was named Warrior Offensive Player of the Week after tying a league record with three 2-point goals.
“A win is a win and we’ll certainly take it, but we need to get better. I didn’t think we played great team offense or defense in the opener. Our stick-work wasn’t real sharp and we can play better in the goal,” Cottle said.
Cottl
