Long Island's Goettelmann Ties It, Wins It in OT
by J. Jude Hazard | Special to Lacrosse Magazine Online | Game Blog
ALBANY, N.Y. -- The Long Island Lizards' first
lead of the game was the only one that mattered.
The Lizards defeated the Machine in overtime, 13-12, behind five
goals and one assist from attackman Matt Danowski.
Tim Goettelmann tied the game with 11 seconds left in regulation
and slammed the short-range game winner home 1:09 into overtime to
improve the Lizards’ record to 2-3. The Machine fell to
3-2.
“That’s just a classic Timmy Goettelmann goal and a
great way to end the game,” Danowski said. “He’s
too big and he’s too skilled. If he gets that close, most of
the time he’s going to bury it.”
The Machine started the game on a 4-0 run and led 7-4 going into
halftime, but the Lizards outscored Chicago 5-2 in the third
quarter to tie the game heading into the final frame.
“The third quarter, our defense started playing really
well,” said Long Island coach Jim Mule. “I think that
made a big difference. We talked about that from the beginning of
the game.”
Chris Rotelli scored with 1:35 left in regulation to put the
Machine up 12-11, but Goettelmann tied it on a goal assisted by
John Glynn to force overtime.
“You get one shot and it usually goes in with these sudden
[death] victories,” Goettelmann. “Johnny Glynn really
set it up, and, on the tying goal too, he made a nice
pass.”
Both Goettelmaan and Mule said the recent addition of Parker
McKee, the former Duke defenseman and first-round draft pick, was a
big factor in the victory.
The game was a homecoming for brothers Mike (2g, 2a) and Kevin
Leveille (2g, 3a) who are from nearby Delmar, N.Y.
“We just got off our own track and just gave the game
up,” Kevin Leveille said. “We didn’t close them
out when we could have early on.”
The announced attendance for Saturday’s game was 2,132,
despite pouring rain during much of the game. The majority of fans
stayed until the conclusion.
“It was a great turnout,” Kevin Leveille said.
“We’ve always known growing up here that lacrosse is a
big thing. People take it seriously here.”
Major League Lacrosse Director of Lacrosse Operations Carl Uttaro
said the league was excited to have a game in Albany this
season.
“Anytime you have a great crowd like that, especially one
that stays for the whole game and is enthusiastic for the game,
it’s a great sign,” he said. “That was definitely
a huge positive for us to get that turnout.”
