Long Island Lizards
Encyclopedia
The Long Island Lizards are a Major League Lacrosse
(MLL) professional men's field lacrosse
team based in Hempstead, New York, USA, located on Long Island
. They are original members of the MLL and lost in the league's inaugural game on June 7, 2001 to the Baltimore Bayhawks (now Chesapeake Bayhawks), 16-13. From the league's inception in 2001 through 2005, they were in the American Division. From 2006 to 2008, they were in the Eastern Conference.
). For the 2002 season, they used Hofstra Stadium as their home field. As of 2003, the Lizards played all home contests at Mitchel Athletic Complex
, in Uniondale, New York until 2008. The team will return to James M. Shuart Stadium
for their home games in 2009. The Lizards have won American Division championships in 2001, 2002, and 2003, and Major League Lacrosse titles in 2001 and 2003. The team made the playoffs in 2005 as a wildcard despite a losing record. The team's name and logo are based on the Italian wall lizard
, a small reptile that was imported to Long Island (which has no native lizards) in the 1960s and which populate areas of the team's home town of Hempstead.
* August 17 game against Baltimore canceled due to rain
Major League Lacrosse
Major League Lacrosse, or MLL, is a professional men's field lacrosse league that is made up of five teams in the United States and one team in Canada.- History :...
(MLL) professional men's field lacrosse
Field lacrosse
Field lacrosse, sometimes referred to as the "fastest sport on two feet," is a full contact outdoor men's sport played with ten players on each team. The sport originated among Native Americans, and the modern rules of field lacrosse were initially codified by Canadian William George Beers in 1867....
team based in Hempstead, New York, USA, located on Long Island
Long Island
Long Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
. They are original members of the MLL and lost in the league's inaugural game on June 7, 2001 to the Baltimore Bayhawks (now Chesapeake Bayhawks), 16-13. From the league's inception in 2001 through 2005, they were in the American Division. From 2006 to 2008, they were in the Eastern Conference.
History
In the MLL's inaugural season in 2001, the Lizards split their home games between Hofstra Stadium, now James M. Shuart Stadium, and EAB Park (now Citibank ParkCitibank Park
Bethpage Ballpark is a 6,002-seat baseball park in Central Islip, New York that serves as the home of the Long Island Ducks, an independent minor league baseball team that is a member of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. Its first regular season game took place on May 14, 2000, when...
). For the 2002 season, they used Hofstra Stadium as their home field. As of 2003, the Lizards played all home contests at Mitchel Athletic Complex
Mitchel Athletic Complex
The Mitchel Athletic Complex is part of the Mitchel Field complex, located in Uniondale, New York, in the United States. Mitchel Athletic Complex was built in 1984 and renovated in 1997; it hosted track and field events during the 1998 Goodwill Games....
, in Uniondale, New York until 2008. The team will return to James M. Shuart Stadium
James M. Shuart Stadium
James M. Shuart Stadium, formerly known as Hofstra Stadium, is a 15,000-seat multi-purpose stadium on the campus of Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York. It first opened in 1962, and was known as Hofstra Stadium until August 29, 2002. It is the home field of the Hofstra Pride lacrosse teams...
for their home games in 2009. The Lizards have won American Division championships in 2001, 2002, and 2003, and Major League Lacrosse titles in 2001 and 2003. The team made the playoffs in 2005 as a wildcard despite a losing record. The team's name and logo are based on the Italian wall lizard
Italian Wall Lizard
The Italian wall lizard or Ruin lizard is a species of lizard in the Lacertidae family. P. sicula is native to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, France, Italy, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovenia and Switzerland, but has also been introduced to Spain, Turkey, and the United States. P...
, a small reptile that was imported to Long Island (which has no native lizards) in the 1960s and which populate areas of the team's home town of Hempstead.
Rivalry
The Lizards main rival is the Chesapeake Bayhawks. Between them they hold five of the 10 MLL league championships (Chesapeake has three and Long Island has two) and in all five instances the other team was the opponent.Current Coaching Staff
- Head Coach - Jim Mule
- Assistant Coach - John Espey
- Assistant Coach - Todd Esposito
- Assistant Coach - Matt Schomburg
- Assistant Coach - Tony Resch
- Chief Scout - Gordon Boone
Current roster
| 2009 Long Island Lizards | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number | Player's Name | Position | Height | Weight | College | |||||
| 0 | Kevin Unterstein | Goal | 5-11 | 170 lbs | Hofstra Hofstra University Hofstra University is a private, nonsectarian institution of higher learning located in the Village of Hempstead, New York, United States, about east of New York City: less than an hour away by train or car... |
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| 1 | Dan Cocchi | Midfield | 5-11 | 185 lbs | Towson Towson University Towson University, often referred to as TU or simply Towson for short, is a public university located in Towson in Baltimore County, Maryland, U.S... |
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| Chre Teitelbaum | Goalie | 5-11 | 200 | Brown university | 3 | Ricky Pages | Defense | 6-5 | 185 lbs | Ohio State Ohio State University The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States... |
| 4 | Frank Resetarits Frank Resetarits Frank Resetarits is a lacrosse player from Hamburg, New York. As a high school player Resitarits ranks in the top three players all-time for points in a career. He plays forward for the Buffalo Bandits of the National Lacrosse League and attack for the Long Island Lizards of Major League Lacrosse... |
Attack | 6-2 | 210 lbs | Albany | |||||
| 5 | Julian Watts | Midfield | 6-2 | 205 lbs | Hofstra Hofstra University Hofstra University is a private, nonsectarian institution of higher learning located in the Village of Hempstead, New York, United States, about east of New York City: less than an hour away by train or car... |
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| 6 | Brian Dougherty Brian Dougherty Brian "Doc" Dougherty is a lacrosse goaltender. He attended The Episcopal Academy before attending University of Maryland. He is currently the head coach at Chestnut Hill College.... |
Goal | 6-1 | 202 lbs | Maryland University of Maryland, College Park The University of Maryland, College Park is a top-ranked public research university located in the city of College Park in Prince George's County, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C... |
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| 7 | Keith Cromwell Keith Cromwell Keith Cromwell is a lacrosse player from the United States. As of 2008 he is a member of the Minnesota Swarm in the National Lacrosse League and of the Long Island Lizards of Major League Lacrosse. He plays the attack position. He graduated from Rutgers University in 2001... |
Attack | 6-1 | 180 lbs | Rutgers Rutgers University Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey , is the largest institution for higher education in New Jersey, United States. It was originally chartered as Queen's College in 1766. It is the eighth-oldest college in the United States and one of the nine Colonial colleges founded before the American... |
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| 8 | Peter Vlahakis Peter Vlahakis Peter Vlahakis is a professional lacrosse player with the Long Island Lizards of Major League Lacrosse and the holder of four MLL All-Time face-off records. Vlahakis holds the MLL career face-off wins, career face-off percentage, single game face-off wins and single game face-off percentage... |
Midfield/Face-Off | 5-10 | 190 lbs | Fairfield Fairfield University Fairfield University is a private, co-educational undergraduate and master's level teaching-oriented university located in Fairfield, Connecticut, in the New England region of the United States. It was founded by the Society of Jesus in 1942, and today is one of 28 member institutions of the... |
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| 9 | Tim Goettelmann | Attack | 6-4 | 215 lbs | Loyola (Md) Loyola College in Maryland Loyola University Maryland is a Roman Catholic, Jesuit private university in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. Established as Loyola College in Maryland by John Early and eight other members of the Society of Jesus in 1852, it is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges... |
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| 11 | John Gagliardi John Gagliardi (lacrosse) John Gagliardi is a professional lacrosse player and entrepreneur from Manhasset, NY. He is currently a member of the Long Island Lizards of Major League Lacrosse and lives in New York City.... |
Defense | 6-0 | 200 lbs | Johns Hopkins Johns Hopkins University The Johns Hopkins University, commonly referred to as Johns Hopkins, JHU, or simply Hopkins, is a private research university based in Baltimore, Maryland, United States... |
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| 12 | Glenn Adams | Attack | 5-10 | 170 lbs | Wesleyan Wesleyan University Wesleyan University is a private liberal arts college founded in 1831 and located in Middletown, Connecticut. According to the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, Wesleyan is the only Baccalaureate College in the nation that emphasizes undergraduate instruction in the arts and... |
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| 13 | Stephen Berger | Midfield | 6-0 | 190 lbs | Washington College Washington College Washington College is a private, independent liberal arts college located on a campus in Chestertown, Maryland, on the Eastern Shore. Maryland granted Washington College its charter in 1782... |
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| 14 | Matt Ward | Attack | 5-10 | 205 lbs | Virginia University of Virginia The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson... |
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| 15 | Frank D'Agostino | Defense | 6-2 | 210 lbs | NYIT New York Institute of Technology New York Institute of Technology is a private, non-sectarian, co-educational research university in New York City. NYIT has five schools and two colleges, all with a strong emphasis on technology and applied scientific research... |
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| 17 | Seth Goldberg | Attack | 5-10 | 185 lbs | Yale Yale University Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States... |
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| 18 | Stephen Peyser Stephen Peyser Stephen Peyser is an American professional lacrosse player with the Long Island Lizards of Major League Lacrosse. Peyser also played with the Orlando Titans and New York Titans of the National Lacrosse League... |
Midfield/Face-Off | 6-2 | 220 lbs | Johns Hopkins Johns Hopkins University The Johns Hopkins University, commonly referred to as Johns Hopkins, JHU, or simply Hopkins, is a private research university based in Baltimore, Maryland, United States... |
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| 21 | Chris Fiore | Midfield | 6-4 | 225 lbs | UMass University of Massachusetts This article relates to the statewide university system. For the flagship campus often referred to as "UMass", see University of Massachusetts Amherst... |
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| 22 | Ryan Heath | Attack | 6-0 | 180 lbs | Cortland State University of New York at Cortland The State University of New York College at Cortland, also officially called SUNY Cortland or informally known as Cortland State, is a coeducational university located in Cortland, New York... |
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| 24 | Joe Mascaretti | Midfield/Face-Off | 5-11 | 195 lbs | Hofstra Hofstra University Hofstra University is a private, nonsectarian institution of higher learning located in the Village of Hempstead, New York, United States, about east of New York City: less than an hour away by train or car... |
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| 26 | Blake Miller Blake Miller (lacrosse) Blake Miller is a professional lacrosse player from Manhasset, New York. He is an offensive-minded Midfielder.Miller graduated from Hofstra University in 1996 where he was an Honorable Mention All-American.-MLL career:... |
Midfield | 6-1 | 195 lbs | Hofstra Hofstra University Hofstra University is a private, nonsectarian institution of higher learning located in the Village of Hempstead, New York, United States, about east of New York City: less than an hour away by train or car... |
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| 32 | Drew Thompson | Midfield | 5-10 | 185 lbs | Virginia University of Virginia The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson... |
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| 33 | Jerry Lambe | Defense | 6-1 | 190 lbs | Georgetown Georgetown University Georgetown University is a private, Jesuit, research university whose main campus is in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic university in the United States... |
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| 40 | Matt Danowski Matt Danowski Matt Danowski is a professional lacrosse player for the Long Island Lizards of Major League Lacrosse. He also plays professional indoor lacrosse in the National Lacrosse League for the Rochester Knighthawks... |
Attack | 6-1 | 195 | Duke Duke University Duke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B... |
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| 41 | Nicky Polanco Nicky Polanco Nickolas Polanco is an American lacrosse player. He currently plays defense for the Long Island Lizards. He is regarded as one of the best defensemen in MLL history... |
Defense | 6-4 | 235 lbs | Hofstra Hofstra University Hofstra University is a private, nonsectarian institution of higher learning located in the Village of Hempstead, New York, United States, about east of New York City: less than an hour away by train or car... |
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| 44 | Matt Zash Matt Zash Matt Zash is a lacrosse player for the Philadelphia Wings in the National Lacrosse League, and for the Long Island Lizards of Major League Lacrosse.-Collegiate:... |
Midfield | 5-11 | 190 lbs | Duke Duke University Duke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B... |
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| 47 | Matt McMonagle | Goal | 5-10 | 165 lbs | Cornell Cornell University Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions... |
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| 55 | Steve Panarelli | Defense | 6-0 | 210 lbs | Syracuse Syracuse University Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College... |
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| 56 | John Orsen | Defense | 6-3 | 203 lbs | Hofstra Hofstra University Hofstra University is a private, nonsectarian institution of higher learning located in the Village of Hempstead, New York, United States, about east of New York City: less than an hour away by train or car... |
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| 88 | Tony McDevitt | Defense | 6-0 | 210 lbs | Duke Duke University Duke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B... |
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| 91 | Brian Spallina | Defense | 5-11 | 215 lbs | Hofstra Hofstra University Hofstra University is a private, nonsectarian institution of higher learning located in the Village of Hempstead, New York, United States, about east of New York City: less than an hour away by train or car... |
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| 99 | Chris Unterstein | Attack | 6-1 | 193 lbs | Hofstra Hofstra University Hofstra University is a private, nonsectarian institution of higher learning located in the Village of Hempstead, New York, United States, about east of New York City: less than an hour away by train or car... |
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- updated 2009-05-14
Retired numbers
- 2 - Greg CattranoGreg CattranoGreg "The Cat" Cattrano is a retired lacrosse goaltender, who is recognized as one of the most successful and accomplished goaltenders in the history of the sport.-High school career:...
- 10 - Jay JalbertJay JalbertJay Jalbert is an American lacrosse player who had a standout collegiate career at the University of Virginia and then went on to play professional lacrosse in Major League Lacrosse and the National Lacrosse League, as well as on the U.S...
- 29 - Pat McCabe
Current Season
| 2009 Long Island Lizards Season | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date & Time | Away Team | Score | Home Team | Score | Game Notes/Scoring Leader |
| May 16 @ 7 PM | Long Island | 9 | Boston Boston Cannons The Boston Cannons are a Major League Lacrosse professional men's field lacrosse team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They have played in the MLL since the 2001 season. From 2006 to 2008, they were in the Eastern Conference. From the league's inception in 2001 through 2005, they were in the... |
8 | - |
| May 21 @ 7 PM | Washington | 14 | Long Island | 13 | Overtime |
| May 29 @ 7:30 PM | Long Island | 13 | Toronto Toronto Nationals The Hamilton Nationals are a Major League Lacrosse professional men's field lacrosse team based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. They began play in the 2009 season from Toronto, Ontario as the Toronto Nationals, becoming the first-ever Canadian team in MLL history... |
9 | - |
| June 5 @ 7 PM | Boston | 13 | Long Island | 14 | Overtime |
| June 13 @ 7 PM | Long Island | 9 | Denver Denver Outlaws The Denver Outlaws are a Major League Lacrosse professional men's field lacrosse team based in Denver, Colorado. They began playing in the MLL in 2006 as an expansion team. From 2006 to 2008, they were in the Western Conference. With the MLL contraction in the 2009 season from 10 to 6 teams The... |
16 | - |
| June 20 @ 7 PM | Chicago Chicago Machine The Chicago Machine is a mens field lacrosse team that plays in Major League Lacrosse that was based in Chicago, Illinois until the franchise left after the 2009 season to be a travel team in 2010. The team then transferred its roster to the reborn Rochester Rattlers on November 23, 2010 when it... |
14 | Long Island | 15 | - |
| July 4 @ 7 PM | Long Island | 7 | Washington | 14 | - |
| July 9 @ 7 PM | Boston | 10 | Long Island | 11 | - |
| July 18 @ 8 PM | Toronto | 19 | Long Island | 9 | - |
| July 25 @ 7 PM | Long Island | 7 | Denver | 12 | - |
| August 1 @ 7 PM | Denver | 13 | Long Island | 9 | - |
| August 8 @ 7 PM | Long Island | 13 | Chicago Chicago Machine The Chicago Machine is a mens field lacrosse team that plays in Major League Lacrosse that was based in Chicago, Illinois until the franchise left after the 2009 season to be a travel team in 2010. The team then transferred its roster to the reborn Rochester Rattlers on November 23, 2010 when it... |
11 | - |
Season-by-Season
| Long Island Lizards | ||||
| Year | W | L | Regular season finish | Playoff results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 2001 MLL season The 2001 Major League Lacrosse season was the 1st season of the league. The season began on June 7 and concluded with the championship game on September 3, 2001.-General information:... |
10 | 4 | 1st in American Division | Won semifinal 13-12 over Rattlers Rochester Rattlers The Rochester Rattlers are a Major League Lacrosse professional men's field lacrosse team based in Rochester, New York. They are a charter member of the MLL. From their inaugural season in 2001 to 2005, they were in the National Division. From 2006 to 2008, they were a member of the Eastern... Won championship 15-11 over Bayhawks Baltimore Bayhawks The Chesapeake Bayhawks are a Major League Lacrosse professional men's field lacrosse team based in Annapolis, Maryland. They have played in the MLL since the 2001 season. From the league's inception in 2001 through 2005, they were in the National Division and from 2006 to 2008, they were in the... |
| 2002 2002 MLL season 2002 Major League Lacrosse season was the 2nd season of the league. The season began on June 6 and concluded with the championship game on September 1, 2002.-General information:Baltimore moved its home games to Ravens Stadium... |
9 | 5 | 1st in American Division | Won semifinal 19-11 over Pride New Jersey Pride The New Jersey Pride were a men's field lacrosse team formerly based in Piscataway, New Jersey, United States. They played in Major League Lacrosse from 2001-2008.-Franchise history:... Lost championship 21-13 to Bayhawks Baltimore Bayhawks The Chesapeake Bayhawks are a Major League Lacrosse professional men's field lacrosse team based in Annapolis, Maryland. They have played in the MLL since the 2001 season. From the league's inception in 2001 through 2005, they were in the National Division and from 2006 to 2008, they were in the... |
| 2003 2003 MLL season 2003 Major League Lacrosse season was the 3rd season of the league. The season began on May 31 and concluded with the championship game on August 24, 2003.-General information:Schedule was reduced from 14 to 12 games.... * |
8 | 3 | 1st in American Division | Won semifinal 20-14 over Cannons Boston Cannons The Boston Cannons are a Major League Lacrosse professional men's field lacrosse team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They have played in the MLL since the 2001 season. From 2006 to 2008, they were in the Eastern Conference. From the league's inception in 2001 through 2005, they were in the... Won championship 15-14 (OT) over Bayhawks Baltimore Bayhawks The Chesapeake Bayhawks are a Major League Lacrosse professional men's field lacrosse team based in Annapolis, Maryland. They have played in the MLL since the 2001 season. From the league's inception in 2001 through 2005, they were in the National Division and from 2006 to 2008, they were in the... |
| 2004 2004 MLL season 2004 Major League Lacrosse season was the 4th season of the league. The season began on May 22 and concluded with the championship game on August 22, 2004.-General information:... |
6 | 6 | 3rd in American Division | --- |
| 2005 2005 MLL season 2005 Major League Lacrosse season was the 5th season of the league. The season began on May 20 and concluded with the championship game on August 21, 2005... |
4 | 8 | 2nd in American Division | Won semifinal 19-14 over Cannons Boston Cannons The Boston Cannons are a Major League Lacrosse professional men's field lacrosse team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They have played in the MLL since the 2001 season. From 2006 to 2008, they were in the Eastern Conference. From the league's inception in 2001 through 2005, they were in the... Lost championship 15-9 to Bayhawks Baltimore Bayhawks The Chesapeake Bayhawks are a Major League Lacrosse professional men's field lacrosse team based in Annapolis, Maryland. They have played in the MLL since the 2001 season. From the league's inception in 2001 through 2005, they were in the National Division and from 2006 to 2008, they were in the... |
| 2006 2006 MLL season 2006 Major League Lacrosse season was the 6th season of the league. The season began on May 20 and concluded with the championship game on August 27, 2006.-General information:... |
5 | 7 | 4th in Eastern Conference | --- |
| 2007 2007 MLL season 2007 Major League Lacrosse season was the 7th season of the league. The season began on May 12 and concluded with the championship game on August 26, 2007.-General information:... |
5 | 7 | 4th in Eastern Conference | --- |
| 2008 2008 MLL season The 2008 Major League Lacrosse season was the 8th season of the league. The season began on May 17, 2008 and concluded with the championship game on August 24, 2008.-Pre-season:... |
5 | 7 | 5th in Eastern Conference | --- |
| 2009 2009 MLL season The 2009 Major League Lacrosse season was the 9th season of the league. The season began on May 15, 2009 and concluded with the championship game on August 23, 2009.-Rule changes:... |
6 | 6 | 3rd Overall | Lost semifinal 14-13 to Toronto Nationals Toronto Nationals The Hamilton Nationals are a Major League Lacrosse professional men's field lacrosse team based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. They began play in the 2009 season from Toronto, Ontario as the Toronto Nationals, becoming the first-ever Canadian team in MLL history... |
| 2010 2010 MLL season The 2010 Major League Lacrosse season was the 10th season of the league. The season began on May 15, 2010 and concluded with the championship game on August 22, 2010.-Team movement:... |
7 | 5 | 3rd Overall | Won semifinal 16-12 over Denver Outlaws Denver Outlaws The Denver Outlaws are a Major League Lacrosse professional men's field lacrosse team based in Denver, Colorado. They began playing in the MLL in 2006 as an expansion team. From 2006 to 2008, they were in the Western Conference. With the MLL contraction in the 2009 season from 10 to 6 teams The... Lost in Final 13-9 to Chesapeake Bayhawks |
| 2011 2011 MLL season The 2011 Major League Lacrosse season was the 11th season of the league. The season began on May 14, 2011 and concluded with the championship game on August 28, 2011.-Team movement:... |
5 | 7 | 5th Overall | --- |
| Totals | 70 | 65 | Regular Season Win % = .519 | Total Playoff Record 7 - 4 Playoff Win % = .636 |
* August 17 game against Baltimore canceled due to rain
- 2001 Long Island Lizards season
- 2002 Long Island Lizards season
- 2003 Long Island Lizards season
- 2004 Long Island Lizards season
- 2005 Long Island Lizards season
- 2006 Long Island Lizards season
- 2007 Long Island Lizards season
- 2008 Long Island Lizards season
- 2009 Long Island Lizards season
- 2010 Long Island Lizards season