The New York Lizards (1-0) got their 2013 MLL season off to a successful start with a 14-11 win over the visiting Boston Cannons (0-1) at Shuart Stadium.

Tommy Palasek Player of the Game had three goals and two assist for the Lizards. Photo by: Stacy Podelski / 1495 Sports

Tommy Palasek led the way with three goals and two assists for New York, while goalie Drew Adams made 15 saves to lead the Lizards.

The game was close early and Boston led 4-3 after the first quarter. Paul Rabil scored two of his game-high four goals in the first quarter to pace the Boston attack.
Palasek scored all three Lizards goals in the first quarter to complete his hat trick but goals by Ari Sussman and Brian Farrell 16 seconds apart put Boston back in front after 15 minutes by a 4-3 margin.

The second quarter is where the Lizards took control of the game. They outscored the Cannon 6-1 during the second quarter to take a 9-5 lead. A two-point goal by Steven Waldeck was a big blow and put the home team up 7-4.

Rabil scored to pull the Cannon to within two points when the game turned firmly in the Lizards’ favor. With Jack Reid in the penalty box for one minute, Kevin Unterstein scored a shorthanded goal at 12:23 of the second quarter.

Just 37 seconds later, Mike Unterstein scored and the Lizards had a 9-5 halftime lead.

Albert Maione, Steven Waldeck and Vito DeMola scored in the third quarter for the Lizards who led 12-6 after three quarters and seemed to be in complete control of the game.

In the fourth quarter, Coach Joe Spallina’s club slowed down the pace and it almost cost them. Boston scored four goals to pull to within 13-10 with 3:38 left in the game before DeMola’s second goal of the game clinched the victory for New York.

“It’s a big win, especially early on in the season,” Palasek said after being named Player of the Game. “A lot of teams struggle to get wins so any time you can win, it’s nice.”

The Lizards resume their schedule next Saturday. May 4th when they visit the Chesapeake Bayhawks.

NOTES:

Lizards Co-Owner,  All-American Lacrosse Star and Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Brown was on hand for the game.

1495 Sports fans can also check out the postgame interviews from Adams and Palasek by clicking on the link below:

http://1495sports.com/2013/04/28/videos-new-york-lizards-postgame-interviews/