(Long Island, NY) Lacrosse is a huge sport in New York, especially out on Long Island. Through youth organizations, high school, and college. It is a sport that is played in the streets, backyards, and fields. It would only seem natural to have a professional team playing in our own backyard. Make that backyards. Because the National Lacrosse League opened it’s 21st year of operation with an expansion team playing in New York, who are calling two of its arenas home.
The New York Titans will begin their home schedule on Saturday, January 20th at Madison Square Garden. The ‘World’s Most Famous Arena’ will host four of the Titans’ home contests, with the remaining four being played at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
The season has started slowly for the new club, who have suffered two road losses. On opening night in Chicago on January 6th, the fellow expansion Chicago Shamrox defeated New York in the Windy City by a score of 15-12. Titans forward Casey Powell had a big game in defeat, gaining 9 points with 1 goal and 8 assists. The fourth quarter became the Titans’ undoing, with the Shamrox outscoring them 5-2.
On Friday evening in Buffalo, the Titans trailed the Bandits 8-1, and then 11-6 at halftime. They came storming back in the third frame, outscoring Buffalo 4-1. Trailing only by two, the Titans were unable to close the gap any further and were defeated 16-14. Powell had 3 goals and 2 assists.
The Titans’ opponent in their next contest will once again be the Shamrox. A home crowd behind them greeting them to the New York sport scene will be a big lift. Also figure in the team will introduce their new mascot and dance team to the fans, and this should be a wild party at the Garden.
The indoor game of lacrosse differs from the outdoor. The field is smaller and played with the glass and boards from the hockey rink intact. They are called ‘dasher boards’ in lacrosse. The average game consists of 25 goals between the two teams, and there are penalty boxes and power plays. The strategy is similar to hockey, and the action is comparable, as well.
Does that team name sound familiar? It should. Back in 1960 when the American Football League was formed and New York granted a franchise, the Titans were born and played three seasons under that moniker. Sonny Werblin purchased the team and changed their name to the Jets.
