New York Lizards. Photo by: Stacy Podelski/1495 Sports
One of the many characteristics of a champion is how one responds to failure.
How do you respond when you fall, well the New York Lizards who were on an eight game winning streak, suffered a tough one goal loss to the Charlotte Hounds on June 20.
On June 26 the Lizards will take on the Florida Launch, how will this team respond. Will they rebound and continue to show why they are one of the top teams of Major League Lacrosse.
In order to become a Championship team that is what this New York team needs to do, they need to dig in and not allow for that loss to Charlotte to get inside their heads.
During the winning stretch the team had been super focused, this team has plenty of leaders so it will be interesting to see how they respond.
In addition to all the new rookies on the team on Tuesday the team announced a trade for midfielder Chris LaPierre.
In exchange for LaPierre, the Launch will receive New York’s 3rd Round MLL Collegiate Draft Pick in 2017.
“Chris was a first round pick, collegiate captain and All-American,” said Lizards Head Coach, Joe Spallina. “We love all of the intangibles that he can bring to the table.”
LaPierre was the second overall draft pick in the 2013 Major League Lacrosse Collegiate Draft by the Hamilton Nationals, but began his rookie season with the Florida Launch in 2014. In his first season with the Launch, he played in nine games logging four goals and 16 groundballs. This season, LaPierre has 13 groundballs and one assist in seven game played.
A graduate of the University of Virginia, LaPierre was named USILA Second-Team All-American and All-ACC.
Spallina continued, “He’s an established short-stick midfielder that will help us tremendously.”
New York also saw rookie midfielder Hakeem Lecky score his first goal in the game versus Charlotte.
In the last meeting against the Launch, the Lizards were able to earn an 18-11 victory. Florida is a scrappy team and gave them a great game at Shuart.
The road is not an easy one, but it never is for those who wish to be a Champion. June 26 is the first of many moments that will define this New York Lizards team.
For more information on the New York Lizards and for tickets to the last home game of the season on July 9 against the Denver Outlaws fans are encouraged to click on the link seen here: