The 2019 New York Lizards season is the nineteenth season for the Lizards franchise of Major League Lacrosse. The Lizards are coming off an 8–6 season in which they finished fourth place in the league standings and grabbed the last playoff spot. The team ultimately lost to their former in-state rival and now Dallas Rattlers, 15–12 in the semifinals.
The Lizards, like most teams in the league, would have to rebuild from a max exodus of players to the new Premier Lacrosse League, a new professional league founded by former Lizard and MLL star Paul Rabil. The Lizards would end up finishing last place in the league standings at 5–11, their worst record since going 4–10 in 2013. It was the first season for the Lizards under the reigns of B.J. O'Hara, four-time Steinfeld Cup-winning coach. O'Hara replaced Joe Spallina officially on December 19, 2018, after Spallina decided to step back into a front office role.
Transactions Offseason April 24, 2019 - Midfielder Kevin Crowley and goalie Austin Kaut headline a group of nine players selected by the Lizards in the relocation draft, which was held due to the suspension of the Charlotte Hounds, and folding of the Florida Launch and Ohio Machine.Relocation draft nets Crowley, Kaut, others for New York May 7 - Top overall draft pick (2017) and Long Island native Dylan Molloy signs with the Lizards after two years with the Florida Launch and being cut by the Redwoods Lacrosse Club of the PLL.Dylan Molloy comes home
In-season July 11 - The Lizards trade faceoff specialist Noah Rak to the Chesapeake Bayhawks in exchange for defenseman Matt Borges and a fifth round pick in the 2020 Collegiate Draft.Lizards give up Rak
Collegiate Draft The 2019 Collegiate Draft was held on March 9 in Charlotte, North Carolina at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Inside Lacrosse gave the Lizards a "B−" in their team-by-team draft grades, despite being limited to only six picks.
Round Overall Pick Player School Position 3 24 Jack Tigh Yale Midfielder 4 33 John Daniggelis Yale Midfielder 5 42 Connor Farrell LIU Post Faceoff 6 51 Dan Dolan Maryland Goalie 7 57 Decker Curran Michigan Midfielder 7 60 Brendan Kearns Providence Friars Attack
Schedule
Date Opponent Stadium Result Attendance Record May 31 Denver Outlaws James M. Shuart Stadium L 9–11 5,592 0–1 June 1 at Boston Cannons Veterans Memorial Stadium L 12–13 5,025 0–2 June 15 Chesapeake Bayhawks James M. Shuart Stadium L 14–16 2,723 0–3 June 22 at Boston Cannons Veterans Memorial Stadium L 11–18 3,621 0–4 June 29 Dallas Rattlers James M. Shuart Stadium W 13–9 4,237 1–4 July 7 at Atlanta Blaze Grady Stadium L 11–12 1,927 1–5 July 11 Boston Cannons James M. Shuart Stadium W 15–12 4,716 2–5 July 20 at Chesapeake Bayhawks Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium W 14–10 5,422 3–5 August 3 at Chesapeake Bayhawks Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium L 9–11 4,234 3–6 August 4 Chesapeake Bayhawks James M. Shuart Stadium L 7–24 5,012 3–7 August 10 at Dallas Rattlers Ford Center at The Star L 11–15 4,011 3–8 August 17 Atlanta Blaze James M. Shuart Stadium L 13–14 4,119 3–9 August 24 at Denver Outlaws Sports Authority Field at Mile High L 13–16 3,034 3–10 August 31 at Dallas Rattlers Ford Center at The Star W 12–11 4,217 4–10 September 7 Denver Outlaws James M. Shuart Stadium L 12–15 4,278 4–11 September 21 Atlanta Blaze James M. Shuart Stadium W 21–15 5,747 5–11
Standings
References
External links Team Website