Lacrosse sits in the heart of Long Island.
The athletes playing on the Island are among the best students of the game across all levels of competition. Few showcase it more than the Major League Lacrosse’s New York Lizards.
The Lizards announced their 25-man roster on Tuesday, July 7th, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the MLL. More than half of the team this season is comprised of athletes raised in and/or graduated from Long Island. Axcess Sports breaks down the 13 Lizards representing the Island this season.
Dylan Molloy- Setauket, N.Y. College: Brown
A key component of the New York offense is returning with an even bigger mission ahead. It is very likely Molloy will step up as the offense’s main goal scorer and playmaker, following the departure of Rob Pannell. Although Pannell was the second highest point-scorer in the league with 63 last season, Molloy was the second-best for New York with 42.
The attackman is no stranger to the spotlight and thrived in it throughout his career, so far. The Setauket native was the first overall pick in the 2017 MLL Draft by the now-defunct Florida Launch, leading the team with 59 points in 2018.
Molloy built his career on out-muscling and outsmarting opponents for goals, dating back to his time at Brown. He finished the 2015 campaign with a program-record 62 goals and the Ivy League Player of the Year honor. He followed that up by producing the sixth-highest point total in NCAA history with 116 and took home the 2016 Tewaaraton Award.
Molloy made his name as an all-star talent at St. Anthony’s High School, earning a varsity letter in cross country, winter track and lacrosse. He was named the school’s lacrosse team captain as a senior and finished as its MVP.
Brendan Kearns- Wantagh, N.Y. College: Providence
Things are only looking up for the attackman, who will likely receive a bigger role compared to last season. The departure of Pannell and Kevin Crowley could lead towards a breakout season on the attack for Kearns.
Kearns wasted no time making a impact in limited time, last season. He earned 17 points, 13 of those being goals, despite only playing in five contests.
Leading as a newcomer is nothing new for Kearns, who led his freshman Providence classmates with 22 goals in 2016. The Wantagh native attended Chaminade High School won consecutive New York Catholic League Championships.
Justin Reh- Rocky Point, N.Y. College: UAlbany
Another factor determining the Lizards success may be Reh’s offensive progression this year. The attackman was fifth on the team with 15 goals and second with 14 assists last season. His strong sophomore campaign was highlighted by his 29 points scored, trailing Pannell and Molloy.
Reh will almost certainly see more touches which should increase his passing and shot creating across the wing and behind the cage. He excelled as a playmaker at UAlbany by scoring 41 points in 2018, including 22 goals.
The attackman always wanted to play for the Lizards and attended their games as a high schooler. He incorporated what the pros did in his game and found plenty of success. Reh lettered for Rocky Point High School Lacrosse and was the Division-II Rookie of the Year in 2012.
Nick Aponte- West Islip, N.Y. College: Penn State
The four-year pro is looking to follow a good first season with the Lizards. Aponte was among the top five team-leaders with 24 points and 17 goals scored last season. The 12 games played were the most action he saw after only playing five times across two seasons with the Chesapeake Bayhawks.
Aponte was a highly-touted collegiate prospect, ranking among Inside Lacrosse’s Top 30, twice. He was Penn State’s first ever All-Big Ten Selection in 2016 and a two time Tewaaraton Award nominee. The attackman was named an Under Armor All-American at Rocky Point High School.
Nicky Galasso- West Islip, N.Y. College: UNC/Syracuse
Galasso may have found his groove at home after bouncing around the now-defunct Atlanta Blaze and Launch, starting his professional career. The midfielder scored 16 points for New York last year, including 13 goals.
Last season was his most productive since college. Galasso impressed in college early and picked up the both the ACC Freshman of the Year and Jay Gallagher Award at UNC in 2011. He ranked 37th nationally scoring over two goals per contest and was an USILA Second Team All-American playing for Syracuse.
Galasso dominated playing the game at West Islip High School. Galasso used the memory of his mother as motivation to continue, breaking nearly every school record on offense. His single-season records include earning 172 points, scoring 72 goals and recording 11 goals in one game. His 500 total points are a record across all Long Island high schools
Steven Romano- Massapequa, N.Y. College: Hofstra
Romano’s defensively-tailored play style should strengthen the midfield for New York. The midfielder picked up 10 ground balls in 15 appearances last season, which was his first time on an MLL field since 2016.
It was tough ignoring Romano’s defensive presence at Hofstra. The midfielder attacked opposing players to the tune of 110 ground ball pickups and 27 caused turnovers over four years. He also scored four times and dished five assists in 57 games with the Pride.
Mark Ellis- Garden City, N.Y. College: Stony Brook/Hofstra
The short-stick defensive midfielder only appeared a handful of times late last season, but should expect more playing time now. Ellis picked up six ground balls and scored one goal in his limited time on the field.
Ellis spent three seasons in the Stony Brook midfield and played his final year for Hofstra. The Pride’s defensive co-captain placed second with eight caused turnovers in 2019.
Thomas O’Connell- Mineola, N.Y. College: Maryland
The midfielder will enter his rookie year under unusual circumstances, but may produce on the field for New York. O’Connell played 49 games at Maryland and started in his final two. He was also a member of the Puerto Rican National Team in the 2018 Lacrosse World Championship in Israel. The midfielder won a pair of New York Catholic League Championships at Chamanade, alongside Kearns and Jack Carrigan.
Jack Carrigan- Rockville Centere, N.Y. College: Loyola
Another Chaminade alum will accompany Kearns and O’Connell to the Lizards. However, Carrigan’s strength will be to continue utilizing his 6’3″, 220 pound frame and power against opposing offenses. Carrigan led New York and was second in the league causing 24 turnovers in 2019.
While that may be a career high professionally, the defenseman forced a career high 29 turnovers as a senior at Loyola. Carrigan was a member of the 2013 NSCHSAA State AAA Championship Chaminade team and played club lacrosse for the Long Island Express in Smithtown, N.Y.
Tommy Wright- Garden City, N.Y. College: Penn State
The youngest of the three long-stick midfielders will experience a ‘rookie season’ like no other. It was only four months ago when Wright’s redshirt senior season at Penn State was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, his next game will be at the professional level.
Although he may not get much playing time compared to his more experienced teammates, Wright will provide depth in the midfield. He grabbed 95 groundballs and forced 24 turnovers in 47 collegiate games. Wright was also teammates with Aponte at Penn State.
Wright was one of the best long-stick midfielders on the Island over the last decade. He earned the Long Stick Midfielder Player of the Year-Nassau County award in 2014 and 2015. The long-stick mid also helped lead Garden City to consecutive championship victories.
Mark Andrejack- Jamesport, N.Y. College: Adelphi
Andrejack went from being the youngest faceoff specialist to the only one with MLL experience. Both Greg Puskuldjian and Noah Rak left the Lizards this offseason, leaving Mark as the lone returner. The faceoff specialist went 37-92 at the X, scooping up 17 groundballs in seven games as a rookie.
He had great success as the Adelphi Panthers‘ primary faceoff specialist in his junior season. Andrejack won 68 percent of his battles at the X and his 198 victories were the second most among the Northeast-10 Conference in 2018. The faceoff specialist was named to the NE-10 All-Conference First Team in 2018 and 2019.
Brian Corrigan- East Quogue, N.Y. College: Marist
Corrigan was only on the field for 45 minutes last year, but still showed some shine from the past few seasons. He recorded 11 saves despite surrendering 11 goals in two games played last year.
It was unusual not seeing Corrigan on the field after producing an incredible high school and collegiate résumé. The goalkeeper is seventh all-time in the NCAA with 557 total saves and finished with an .850 save percentage. He was also one of only four goaltenders named to the initial Tewaaraton Watch list in 2018.
There was no one better between the pipes at Westhampton Beach High School than Corrigan. His 476 career saves set a school record while his .710 save percentage and 3.6 goals allowed per game as a junior were the best in Long Island. He was named to the All-County team three times.
Danny Dolan- Garden City, N.Y. College: Maryland
The Garden City resident got the least amount of time on the field for New York last season, playing a measly minute and 48 seconds. Dolan played three seasons in Maryland and started all 17 games as a senior. The team went 12-5 and Dolan made 191 saves and an appearance on the Big Ten All-Tournament team. Dolan was also teammates with O’Connell at Maryland.
Dolan was a member of the Garden City High School 2013 New York State Class B Championship team. He was also a member of the Long Island Outlaws Lacrosse club.
Originally known as the Long Island Lizards, the current-day New York Lizards still carry much of their roots on the field. The Lizards will open their season against the Boston Cannons in Annapolis, M.D. on Saturday, July 18th.
